February 2015 Committee of the Full Board Item 12
Approval of Student Heroes Awards Program
February 13, 2015
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the board to take action on a new recognition program honoring public school students who voluntarily help other Texas public school students.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: None.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In 1994 the SBOE implemented the annual Heroes for Children program recognizing outstanding school volunteers. Based on this program, the board would implement a similar program to recognize Texas public school students in prekindergarten through high school who do outstanding things to benefit their fellow students. They would be called Student Heroes. One student per board district could be recognized for this annual honor. A certificate of recognition would be awarded to the Student Hero. Board members may present the student with the certificate at a local school assembly, a school or organization’s meeting, or in a classroom. At the same time, a Facebook page and Twitter account for the SBOE would be implemented that would share SBOE related news and highlight good things happening in Texas public schools.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be some costs associated with SBOE members traveling to local schools in their respective districts to present students with certificates of recognition. There will also be costs associated with increased staff time to create and implement the program.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The program would recognize outstanding Texas public school students who voluntarily assist other students, while the Facebook and Twitter accounts would highlight an array of educational activities.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Information on the SBOE’s proposed Student Heroes recognition programs, as well as the board’s existing programs, the Heroes for Children and Employers for Education Excellence, would be shared via a new SBOE Facebook page and Twitter account. Traditional avenues of notification will also be utilized.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Authorize the creation of the annual Student Heroes recognition program.
Staff Members Responsible:
Gene Acuna, Director
Division of Communications and SBOE Support
Debbie Ratcliffe, Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications and SBOE Support
Attachments:
I. Student Heroes Program Criteria (PDF, 53KB)
II. Student Heroes Nomination Form (PDF, 45KB)