An Analysis of the Role of the Male and Female District Hearing Officers and the Effectiveness of this Role

Authors

  • Yolanda Hernandez-Segura Southwest Independent School District
  • Lori Kupczynski Texas A&M University-Kingsville
  • Marie-Anne Mundy Texas A&M University-Kingsville
  • Alberto Ruiz Texas A&M University-Kingsville

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.211.1598

Keywords:

educational admiistration, discipline, hearing officer

Abstract

The Texas Education Code (TEC) contains a provision called “Safe Schools” that holds that students who exhibit discipline and behavioral problems may be suspended from school, removed to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expelled and placed in a juvenile justice alternative education program. The TEC mandates that before students are subjected to these disciplinary measures, each student must be provided with a due process hearing. At most independent school districts (ISDs) in South Texas, the Hearing Officers are responsible for facilitating the due process procedures. However, one problem at hand is that there are no formal guidelines, legal or administrative, that clearly define the case management approaches to be followed by the Hearing Officer. Notably, such approaches can provide guidance to Hearing Officers about the appropriate measures to take in balancing discipline and the educational needs and outcomes of at-risk youths; in respecting and upholding the dignity of the student being disciplined; and in ensuring that such students learn from the consequences of their school violations. Using the single case study approach, this study analyzed Hearing Officers’ duties, effectiveness in carrying out such duties, and whether gender had an impact on their performance. 

Author Biographies

Yolanda Hernandez-Segura, Southwest Independent School District

Yolanda Hernandez-Segura, Ed. D.District Hearing Officer11914 Dragon Lane Bldg. 502-Room 12Southwest ISDOffice-210-622-4352Fax----210-622-4353ysegura@swisd.net 

Lori Kupczynski, Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Lori Kupczynski, EdD 
Graduate Coordinator, Higher Education Administration and Leadership
Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling 
Texas A&M University-Kingsville 
MSC 223, 700 University Blvd. Kingsville, TX 78363-8202 
lori.kupczynski@tamuk.edu 
Phone: (361)593-2430 Fax: (361)593-2136 
Cell: (956)648-7617

Marie-Anne Mundy, Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Marie-Anne Mundy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling

Texas A&M Kingsville

Cell: 361-446-1271

E-mail: marie-anne.mundy@tamuk.edu

Alberto Ruiz, Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Alberto Ruiz

Dean and Professor

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

MSC 195, 1055 University Blvd.

Kingsville, Texas 78363

361-593-2801- Office

361-592-2108- Fax

a-ruiz@tamuk.edu

References

References

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Published

2015-11-13

How to Cite

Hernandez-Segura, Y., Kupczynski, L., Mundy, M.-A., & Ruiz, A. (2015). An Analysis of the Role of the Male and Female District Hearing Officers and the Effectiveness of this Role. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(11). https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.211.1598