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Bill to guarantee excused absences for civic and CTE activities draws support from students and concern from districts; amendment seeks to compel reassignment
Summary
HB 1573 would guarantee two excused absences for students who participate in defined civic events or career and technical education activities. Student witnesses supported the measure; school officials worried about local control and operational complexity. A non‑germane amendment would clarify the State Board’s authority to reassign students in manifest‑hardship bullying cases.
Representative James Tibo introduced HB 1573, proposing two annually excused absences for students participating in specified civic activities (government hearings, official meetings — not campaign rallies) and in career and technical education (CTE) events and competitions. The bill, as amended in the House, narrowly defines civic events to government‑hosted activities and allows parents to notify schools at least two days before absences.
Student testimony: High‑school students who testified described real‑world learning that required missing class — serving on advisory councils, attending legislative meetings or national competitions — and urged the committee to remove attendance barriers to…
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