Texas House Bill HB704

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to public school curriculum standards and assessment instruments.

Impact

The bill will significantly impact the Education Code of Texas by preventing the state from employing common core standards in its curriculum. By enshrining this prohibition into law, it ensures that Texas schools will continue to follow state-created standards rather than federally influenced ones. This legislative action is also seen as a response to a broader national conversation about educational autonomy and the appropriateness of standardized national curriculums in local school systems.

Summary

House Bill 704 focuses on public school curriculum standards and the implementation of assessment instruments. Specifically, the bill prohibits the adoption of common core state standards by the State Board of Education and school districts. It asserts that schools and open-enrollment charter schools cannot be mandated to incorporate any elements of common core standards into their educational structure. The language used in the bill highlights a distinct move away from national educational standards towards local and state-defined educational frameworks.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment regarding HB 704 is mixed. Supporters of the bill, primarily conservative lawmakers, argue that it upholds state rights and safeguards local control over education. They assert that local districts are better positioned to determine the specific educational needs of their communities without the imposition of common core standards. Conversely, opponents, including some educational advocacy groups, express concern that this move might limit educational consistency and quality, arguing that common standards can help bridge learning gaps across the state.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the perceived effectiveness of common core standards. Advocates for maintaining common core argue that they provide a necessary framework for ensuring all students receive a comparable quality of education, while critics see them as an unwarranted federal overreach. This debate touches upon fundamental issues related to educational equity, local governance, and the role of standardized testing in academic assessment.