Relating to evaluating public school performance and implementing measures for public school accountability.
Impact
If enacted, HB 2132 will significantly influence local and state educational policies. School districts will be mandated to assess their performance based on new, rigorous indicators designed to reflect student achievement accurately. The bill seeks to hold districts accountable for any deficiencies in their educational outcomes, potentially leading to increased oversight and intervention by state authorities, particularly for districts that fail to meet performance standards. Such interventions might range from public notices of deficiencies to more stringent measures, such as appointing a conservator to oversee the district’s operations.
Summary
House Bill 2132 aims to enhance the evaluation of public school performance and the implementation of measures for accountability in Texas schools. The bill addresses the creation and maintenance of district improvement plans that are to be developed, evaluated, and revised annually, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to improve student performance across various demographics. The bill outlines what the improvement plans must include, such as comprehensive needs assessments, measurable performance objectives, and resources required for implementation. This legislative initiative is intended to ensure that all student groups achieve state educational standards.
Contention
Despite the potential benefits of enhanced accountability, the proposed bill could instigate contention among various stakeholders, particularly in how performance evaluations are conducted and the strategies employed for intervention in underperforming schools. Critics of increased state oversight might argue that such measures could undermine local control, particularly if the state imposes uniform standards that do not account for the unique challenges of specific districts. Additionally, the specifications for performance evaluations, if not carefully defined, could lead to controversies regarding perceived fairness or accuracy in measuring student achievement.
Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.
Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle, and junior high school campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.
Relating to accelerated instruction provided for public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments, indicators under the public school accountability system, and performance standards in public schools.
Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program.
Relating to public school accountability, including assessment of academic skills, performance standards and sanctions, and public high school graduation requirements.
Relating to public school accountability, including the intervention in and sanction of a public school that has received an academically unsuccessful performance rating for at least two consecutive school years and the designation of a school district as a district of innovation.
Relating to the assessment of public school students, public school accountability and actions, and proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.
Relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.