Texas House Bill HB736

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation or to make certain accountability determinations.

Impact

If enacted, HB736 would significantly change current educational accountability frameworks, which rely heavily on standardized test results to gauge academic achievement and inform promotion decisions. The absence of these assessments as a criterion for graduation may foster a more holistic approach to student evaluation, allowing teachers and schools to emphasize personalized learning and address individual academic strengths and weaknesses. However, it will require careful consideration regarding how student performance and educational outcomes are measured and reported in absence of these metrics.

Summary

House Bill 736 focuses on amending the Texas Education Code to eliminate the requirement that public school assessment instruments be used as a criterion for student promotion or graduation. This legislation proposes that the performance on these assessments should not determine a student's eligibility to graduate or be promoted to the next grade level. The goal of the bill is to shift the focus away from standardized testing as a measure of student success and capability, which has been a point of significant debate in educational communities across Texas.

Contention

The potential elimination of assessment-based criteria for graduation has sparked discussion among policymakers, educators, and parents. Supporters argue that it would relieve pressure from students and teachers subjected to high-stakes testing environments, ultimately enhancing the learning experience. Opponents, however, caution that doing away with standardized assessments may hinder the ability to maintain educational benchmarks and compare performance across different districts. Furthermore, concerns about the implications for accountability and the academic rigor of high school diplomas might emerge, prompting a reassessment of how educational achievements are certified.