Bill > SB1962

This bill introduces comprehensive changes to the Texas public school accountability system, with a primary focus on creating an "instructionally supportive" assessment program. The bill modifies how assessment instruments are designed, administered, and used to evaluate student and school performance, emphasizing several key improvements: assessment instruments will now be nationally norm-referenced, designed to minimize disruption to classroom instruction, provide immediate diagnostic feedback to teachers and parents, and measure student growth throughout the year. The bill requires assessment instruments to be more student-friendly, with questions written at appropriate reading levels, integrated writing assessments, and adaptive testing that tracks individual student progress. Additionally, the bill establishes new provisions for industry certification tracking, creates expedited legal procedures for challenging Texas Education Agency decisions, provides grant opportunities for local accountability plans, and introduces more nuanced performance rating calculations for schools that consider factors like student engagement and workforce development. The legislation aims to make the assessment and accountability system more supportive of student learning, transparent, and responsive to individual student needs while maintaining rigorous educational standards.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1962