Texas House Bill HB1298

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to certain standardized assessment instruments used by school districts.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1298 could lead to significant changes in current assessment protocols used by school districts across Texas. By establishing a framework for norm-referenced language proficiency tests, the bill potentially enhances the reliability and consistency of assessments used statewide. This might facilitate improved outcomes for students, particularly those in bilingual or ESL programs, ensuring that testing measures appropriately reflect local adaptations while fulfilling state education requirements.

Summary

House Bill 1298 seeks to amend the Texas Education Code by allowing the commissioner of education to establish rules governing the administration and computation of norms for agency-approved, locally adopted, norm-referenced language proficiency tests. This bill indicates a shift towards greater local control in how language proficiency is assessed within school districts while ensuring adherence to state guidelines. By empowering the commissioner to regulate these processes, the bill aims to standardize practices across districts while allowing flexibility to adapt to local needs in language assessment.

Contention

However, the bill may also present challenges related to local autonomy. Proponents argue that allowing the commissioner to govern these assessments ensures uniformity and high standards across the state. On the other hand, critics might contend that this centralization could reduce the ability of districts to tailor assessments to the specific needs of their student populations, which vary considerably across different regions. The balance between state oversight and local flexibility will likely be a point of contention as the bill progresses through the legislative process.