Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Texas House Bill HB8

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

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.

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to impact various educational statutes, particularly those related to performance ratings and assessments. By mandating the creation of an instructionally supportive assessment program, the bill will require schools to focus on instructional strategies that promote student learning and achievement. It aims to ensure that assessments are valid, reliable, and reflective of true student performance, thereby shifting the educational landscape to prioritize meaningful metrics over traditional testing methodologies. Furthermore, transparency regarding public school performance and the handling of interventions and sanctions is expected to increase as a result of the bill's provisions.

Summary

House Bill 8 seeks to enhance public school accountability and transparency in Texas by implementing an instructionally supportive assessment program. This initiative includes the adoption and administration of assessment instruments aimed at providing clearer indicators of achievement for students within the public school system. The bill emphasizes the importance of progress monitoring and seeks to establish a streamlined statewide assessment framework that aligns with essential knowledge and skills defined by the State Board of Education. By incorporating a more comprehensive method of assessment, the bill aims to better inform educators, parents, and students about learning progress and achievement levels.

Contention

Notably, while the bill has garnered support for its commitment to improving educational outcomes, it has also sparked contention regarding the implications of increased state oversight on local educational policies. Some critics argue that the requirements for standardized assessments could limit the flexibility of school districts to address specific local needs and contexts. Additionally, there are concerns about the capacity of the Texas Education Agency to implement these changes effectively and the potential repercussions on schools that struggle to meet new performance expectations. The navigation between heightened accountability measures and maintaining local control over education remains a key point of debate among stakeholders.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 1. General Provisions
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 39. Public School System Accountability
    • Section: 023
    • Section: New Section

Labor Code

  • Chapter 312. Industry-based Certification Advisory Council
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX SB8

Identical 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.

Previously Filed As

TX SB1962

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.

TX HB4

Relating to the assessment of public school students, public school accountability and actions, and proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.

TX HB3796

Relating to public school accountability, including the administration of assessment instruments in public schools, the assignment of public school campus performance ratings, and the creation of the Texas Commission on Public School Assessment and Accountability.

TX HB2661

Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.

TX HB2866

Relating to public school accountability and actions and other proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.

TX HB1114

Relating to indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.

TX HB535

Relating to indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.

TX HB5138

Relating to indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.

TX HB4514

Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.

TX SB2295

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.

Similar Bills

TX SB8

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.

TX HB4

Relating to the assessment of public school students, public school accountability and actions, and proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.

TX SB1962

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.

TX HB134

Relating to public school accountability, including reducing state required accountability exams to the minimum required by federal law and replacing current state required assessments with instructionally supportive assessments.

TX HB515

Relating to assessment of public school students and providing accelerated instruction and eliminating performance requirements based on performance on certain assessment instruments.

TX HB4402

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.

TX SB3

Relating to public school accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.

TX HB3

Relating to public school accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.