Texas House Bill HB4238

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to establishing a state master plan for closing academic achievement gaps in public primary and secondary education.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4238 could bring significant changes to the state's education system by emphasizing accountability and performance standards across public schools. The bill outlines the necessity for a statewide assessment of educational practices to ensure that they align with effective models from other states and federal requirements. By focusing on measurable outcomes such as graduation rates, the bill aims to create a more uniform standard of success that all schools must strive to meet. This could lead to improved academic results for students who have historically underperformed in standardized educational assessments.

Summary

House Bill 4238 aims to establish a comprehensive state master plan intended to address and close academic achievement gaps within public primary and secondary education across Texas. The bill proposes the formation of a Select Committee on the State Master Plan, comprising various stakeholders such as legislators, educators, and members of the business community. This committee's role will include defining specific goals such as improving overall student achievement, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing readiness for postsecondary education. Additionally, the plan is to consider the unique challenges posed by a growing population of educationally disadvantaged students and those with limited English proficiency.

Contention

The bill does face potential points of contention, primarily from those who may argue that a state education plan could impose uniform standards that do not account for local needs or variations in student demographics. Critics might raise concerns that the one-size-fits-all approach could lead to a neglect of community-specific challenges in addressing educational gaps, thus creating further disparities in education quality. Supporters, however, argue that a centralized plan is essential for ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to equitable educational opportunities.