Relating to public school accountability and actions and other proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.
Impact
The bill specifies that school districts that initiate actions against the state regarding performance ratings could face immediate consequences, including interventions that might range from additional monitoring to administrative oversight. It aims to create a deterrent against legal battles, effectively placing accountability at the forefront of the educational framework, ensuring that schools maintain a consistent standard of performance, unimpeded by back-and-forth legal disputes that undermine the accountability system.
Summary
House Bill 2866 aims to fortify the public school accountability system in Texas by revamping the procedures governing how academic performance is assessed and sanctioned. The primary focus is on enabling the commissioner of education to impose interventions or sanctions on school districts that engage in legal actions to challenge the implementation of the public school accountability system. This stipulation underscores an intent to deter districts from seeking legal recourse that may delay or impede accountability measures designed to enhance educational standards.
Contention
Notably, there could be significant opposition to this measure from various school districts and educational advocacy groups. Critics may argue that the ability to challenge state decisions is vital for maintaining local control and ensuring that specific contexts and needs of individual districts are factored into performance evaluations. They may also raise concerns about the fairness and transparency of the accountability measures, fearing that rushed or punitive sanctions could negatively affect educational quality and resources.
Further_points
Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision regarding the assignment of performance ratings, stating that districts under sanction may retain a 'Not Rated' designation amidst ongoing litigation. This could potentially complicate the narrative around school performance and fiscal viability as it affects funding and resource distribution, placing stress on districts who may already be dealing with performance challenges or financial constraints.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Education Code
Chapter 39. Public School System Accountability
Section: 023
Section: New Section
Chapter 45. School District Funds
Section: New Section
Labor Code
Chapter 312. Industry-based Certification Advisory Council
Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.
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 public school accountability, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement and public school performance ratings 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.
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, 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.