Education Service Centers across the State offer training and follow-up technical assistance to campuses and districts on the roles and responsibilities of Site-Based Decision Making, as defined by Senate Bill 1. In Texas, the focus of all district and campus planning and decision making is to improve the performance of all students. The ultimate purpose of all planning and decision making in schools is to attain the state's educational goals of equity and excellence in achievement for all students.
Senate Bill 1, passed by the Texas Legislature in May 1995, contained provisions that specified the district- and campus-level planning and decision-making processes expected of all school districts. The 76th Legislature amended several areas of state statute pertaining to these requirements. Texas Education Code (TEC), § 11.254 requires the Commissioner of Education to oversee the provision of training and technical support to all districts and campuses in respect to planning and site-based decision making. The technical support may be conducted through one or more sources, including regional Education Service Centers (ESCs). It is to be provided for school board trustees, superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and other members of school committees.
The Texas Education Code (TEC) sets out minimum requirements for district and campus planning and decision making that all school districts must satisfy. It is the responsibility of each school district to interpret and implement the provisions of the TEC in a manner consistent with the statute that will best serve the school district’s unique characteristics.
This site hosts a compilation of materials gathered in partnership with ESC's across the state, as well as from the District and Campus Planning and Decision Making Resource Guide originated in the Texas Education Agency. These materials have been updated and edited most recently by staff at ESC-20, but they are designed to be easily modified for your customization.
Many thanks to our friends at the other Service Centers for their input and feedback during this process. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to share any materials that you think might benefit others.
