Texas House Bill HB2403

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to a prohibition of certain sanctions against public school districts and campuses based solely on student performance on assessment instruments.

Impact

The implementation of HB2403 would represent a significant shift in how public schools are evaluated and penalized in Texas. By limiting the ability to impose sanctions on schools solely based on test scores, the bill aims to alleviate some of the pressure on educators and students who may face undue consequences due to outside factors affecting test performance. This amendment to the Education Code is perceived as a move towards a more holistic evaluation of schools, taking into account various aspects of educational quality rather than just standardized test outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 2403 seeks to amend the Texas Education Code specifically concerning the sanctions imposed on public school districts and campuses based solely on their students' performance on assessment instruments. The bill proposes the addition of Section 39.140, which prohibits the Texas Commissioner of Education from taking action against a school district or campus based solely on academic excellence indicators that reflect the students' performance on standardized tests. This legislative change reflects a growing concern about the impact of high-stakes testing on public education and the associated pressures faced by educators and students.

Contention

While proponents of HB2403 advocate for this less punitive approach to school performance metrics, there are concerns regarding potential accountability gaps. Critics may argue that eliminating sanctions based solely on assessment performance could lead to lower educational standards, as schools might not be incentivized to improve academic outcomes. Balancing the need for accountability while fostering an environment that encourages educational improvement represents a point of contention surrounding the bill.