Relating to certain standards for group-administered achievement tests used by school districts.
Impact
The amendments proposed in SB759 will have significant implications for the way school districts manage and utilize assessment tools. By mandating the update of assessment forms every eight years at a maximum, the bill seeks to enhance the relevance of testing materials, likely improving educational outcomes for students in the state. Additionally, the bill requires the computation of state and national norms to remain current, based on data that is not older than eight years, thereby reinforcing the need for timely and representative educational assessments.
Summary
Senate Bill 759 aims to establish and enforce specific standards for group-administered achievement tests utilized by school districts in Texas. The bill stipulates that assessment instruments cannot be distributed, sold to, or graded for the same school district for more than eight school years. This measure is intended to ensure that schools are regularly updating their testing materials, which may lead to more accurate assessments of student performance and educational standards.
Contention
While the bill appears to have a sound educational rationale, there may be contention around its implementation. Discussions surrounding testing standards often include concerns about the availability of new assessments, the adequacy of resources for obtaining those assessments, and the administrative burden on school districts to comply with new requirements. Potential opponents may argue that the bill places undue restrictions on districts, especially those that may not have easy access to high-quality testing instruments or resources for updating their assessment materials regularly.
Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.
Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle, and junior high school campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.
Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.
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.