Texas House Bill HB3124

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to scoring the state exit-level assessment instruments administered to public school students.

Impact

If enacted, HB3124 will significantly impact how exit-level assessments are scored and reported in Texas public schools. This includes establishing a cumulative scoring requirement that ties directly to the number of assessments a student takes, thereby ensuring that students maintain a minimum performance level across all exit-level assessments. The goal is to streamline the assessment process while maintaining valid metrics for student achievement and campus ratings.

Summary

House Bill 3124 addresses the scoring of state exit-level assessment instruments that are administered to public school students in Texas. The bill amends Section 39.025(f) of the Education Code, directing the commissioner to implement a transition plan aligned with previous legislative amendments, specifically those made by Chapter 1312 (S.B. No. 1031) in 2007. The intent of this bill is to clarify and update the requirements for scoring these assessments, ensuring a consistent approach that aligns with educational standards set forth in earlier legislation.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB3124 could revolve around concerns over the sufficiency of the assessment instruments and whether the proposed scoring guidelines adequately reflect student understanding and learning outcomes. Potential points of contention may arise from stakeholders in educational policy and administration, who might argue about the efficacy of standardized assessments and the pressures they place on students and teachers alike. Furthermore, differing perspectives on how best to measure student performance and educational outcomes could lead to debates regarding additional amendments or alternative approaches to assessment.