TEA warns districts of consequences regarding political student walkouts

UPDATE (12:15 p.m.):

ABC-7 received the following statement from the Socorro Independent School District regarding the announcement:

"Socorro ISD’s primary responsibility is to maintain safe, orderly campuses where teaching and learning can take place each day.

The district does not organize, sponsor, or monitor student protests or walkouts. When we become aware of student activity, our focus is not on the message being expressed, but on student safety and minimizing disruption to the school day.

Students have First Amendment rights, and the district respects their ability to express themselves. At the same time, Texas law, TEA guidance, and district policy are clear that demonstrations may not occur during instructional time or in ways that disrupt school operations. Those expectations have long been in place and have not changed.

When students choose to leave class during the school day, campuses follow established supervision and attendance procedures to ensure safety. Students who are not in class are subject to standard attendance rules, just as they would be for any unexcused absence or tardy.

The district’s focus remains on student safety, maintaining school operations, and ensuring instructional time is protected."

- Socorro ISD Spokesperson

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)- The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released guidance for districts throughout the state for any student walkouts, absences, and actions related to political activism.

According to the TEA, this guidance is in response to Governor Abbott's order to investigate instances of inappropriate political activism that are meant to disrupt the learning environment in Texas public schools.

The TEA says the consequences for students, teachers, and school districts include but are not limited to:

• Students must be marked as absent and schools risk losing daily attendance funding if they allow or encourage students to walk out of class.
• Teachers that facilitate walk outs will be subject to investigation and sanction including licensure revocation.
• School systems that facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigation and sanction, including either the appointment of a monitor, conservator or board of managers. 

State law prohibits school systems from supporting or organizing students to leave from class or school activity to engage in political activism, according to the TEA.