Texas House Bill HB153

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08

Caption

Relating to the promotion of students to certain grade levels in public schools.

Impact

The implementation of HB 153 is poised to have significant implications for educational practices within public schools. It mandates the formation of grade placement committees that will evaluate students who do not meet the assessment criteria, determining their eligibility for promotion based on a holistic review of their academic performance. This includes considering grades, work samples, and any extenuating circumstances that may have affected a student's assessment performance. With this structured approach, schools are expected to provide tailored accelerated instruction to students who fail to perform satisfactorily.

Summary

House Bill 153 addresses the promotion of students in public schools based on their performance in assessment instruments. It sets forth clear guidelines that stipulate students may not be promoted to specific grade levels unless they demonstrate satisfactory performance on the required assessments. Specifically, it targets students advancing from third to fourth grade, fifth to sixth grade, and eighth to ninth grade, making their promotion contingent upon achieving satisfactory scores in reading and mathematics assessments.

Contention

Despite its well-structured framework, discussions surrounding HB 153 may reveal points of contention among educators, parents, and policymakers. Advocates argue that the bill ensures accountability in student learning and helps maintain high educational standards, fostering student success. Conversely, critics express concerns that rigid assessment requirements could unfairly penalize students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to the same learning resources. The effectiveness of accelerated instruction plans also raises questions, particularly regarding the resources available to implement these measures effectively.

Implementation

If passed, HB 153 will initiate a reevaluation of assessment methods across public schools and may require additional training for educators on the functioning of grade placement committees and the implementation of accelerated instructional programs. The focus on performance may drive better learning outcomes; however, it will necessitate a commitment from school districts to adequately support students who face challenges in meeting assessment expectations.