Relating to the termination of employment by school districts of district or campus administrators who exempt students from administration of statewide assessment instruments under certain circumstances.
Impact
The bill is expected to impact education law directly by reinforcing the standards for assessment administration within Texas schools. By tying the employment of administrators to their exemption decisions, it aims to discourage potentially manipulative practices that could misrepresent student performance levels and overall school effectiveness. This could promote a more accurate reflection of educational outcomes across the state, which is crucial for policy-making and resource allocation in education.
Summary
SB2179 aims to address the issue of administrators within school districts exempting students from statewide assessment instruments. Specifically, it proposes the termination of employment for district or campus administrators who are found to grant exemptions primarily to inflate the percentage of students who perform well on assessments. The bill provides a procedural framework for investigations into such exemptions, mandating an inquiry by the agency's office of inspector general if an unusually high number or percentage of exemptions is identified. This is to ensure accountability in the assessment process and uphold the integrity of statewide educational metrics.
Contention
Despite its intentions, SB2179 may encounter contention from educators and administrators who could view the bill as an overreach. Critics might argue that the bill fails to consider legitimate reasons for exemptions and could penalize administrators unfairly for decisions made in the best interest of individual student needs. The potential for subjective interpretation of what constitutes an 'unusual' number of exemptions could also raise concerns about due process and the criteria used for investigations, leading to debate over the bill's fairness and practicality in application.
Relating to procedures for the alternative assessment or exemption from assessment of certain public school students who receive special education services and alternative accountability plans for certain campuses serving students who receive special education services.
Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program.
Relating to evaluation under the state accountability system of school district campuses that enroll certain students who receive special education services.
Relating to the assessment of public school students and the provision of accelerated instruction to students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments.
Relating to the administration of certain required assessment instruments and prohibiting the use of the results of certain required assessments of public school students for certain purposes.