Relating to limiting certain state-required assessment instruments administered to public school students in certain grades to assessments required by federal law.
Impact
The enactment of SB215 would significantly impact public school policy in Texas by aligning state testing requirements with federal mandates. This alignment means that schools would not administer additional assessments beyond what is federally required, potentially alleviating the burden of testing on students, teachers, and school resources. Supporters argue that this could lead to a more focused and less stressful educational environment, while opponents may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of remaining assessments to capture student performance comprehensively.
Summary
SB215 is a legislative proposal in Texas aimed at limiting the state-required assessment instruments administered to public school students. Specifically, the bill amends existing law to restrict assessments only to those required by federal law. This measure intends to reduce the number of standardized tests that students must take, focusing on core subjects mandated by federal statutes, such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The bill reflects a growing concern over the high-stakes testing culture in education and its implications for student well-being and educational equity.
Contention
During discussions of SB215, notable points of contention arose regarding the adequacy of federal assessments to meet state educational standards. Critics of the bill express concerns that limiting assessments could lead to gaps in evaluating students' understanding and mastery of critical skills necessary for their academic success. Furthermore, the bill poses challenges related to local control over education, with proponents arguing for state-level consistency in educational standards and opponents advocating for the importance of local adaptability to meet the needs of diverse student populations.
Identical
Relating to limiting certain state-required assessment instruments administered to public school students in certain grades to assessments required by federal law.
Relating to the assessment of public school students and the provision of accelerated instruction to students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments.
Relating to eliminating certain state-required end-of-course assessment instruments not required by federal law and eliminating graduation requirements based on satisfactory performance on certain end-of-course assessment instruments.
Relating to eliminating certain state-required end-of-course assessment instruments not required by federal law and eliminating graduation requirements based on satisfactory performance on certain end-of-course assessment instruments.
Relating to the use of interim testing and adaptive, growth-based assessment instruments for certain required assessments of public school students and prohibiting the use of the results of certain required assessments of public school students for certain purposes.
Relating to the use of interim testing and adaptive, growth-based assessment instruments for certain required assessments of public school students and prohibiting the use of the results of certain required assessments of public school students for certain purposes.