Texas House Bill HB79

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to the use of alternative assessment instruments for students in a special education program of a public school district.

Impact

The anticipated impact of HB79 is significant for educational institutions across Texas, as it encourages the use of alternative assessments that could better reflect the abilities of students with disabilities. By ensuring that districts are not adversely judged on their evaluation methods, the bill allows for a more flexible and supportive approach to measuring student performance. This is particularly important for students who may not perform well on standard state assessments due to their unique learning needs.

Summary

House Bill 79, proposed by Representative Guillen, focuses on the use of alternative assessment instruments for students in special education programs within public school districts in Texas. The bill amends the Education Code to remove restrictions on the percentage of special education students who can be assessed using alternative methods. This change aims to ensure that school districts are not penalized for appropriately assessing students with disabilities, aligning with best practices for special education evaluation.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB79 appears to be largely supportive, particularly among advocates for special education who see it as a step towards more inclusive educational practices. Supporters contend that by embracing alternative assessment strategies, Texas can better serve its diverse student population and improve overall educational outcomes for those with disabilities. However, concerns may arise regarding the uniformity and fairness of assessments across different districts.

Contention

One notable point of contention relates to how performance ratings may be impacted by the implementation of alternative assessments. While supporters believe these methods will allow for fairer evaluation of students, opponents may worry about the potential for inconsistency and subjectivity in assessment results. The bill's success will depend on how well the state can define guidelines to ensure that alternative assessments are applied effectively and equitably across all school districts.