83R8850 KKA-D
By: Deuell S.B. No. 1469
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to alternative assessment of certain public school
students under the public school accountability system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.0222 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.0222. ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM. (a) The
agency shall develop and implement an alternative assessment system
for students in grade levels three through eight in accordance with
this section.
(b) A school district may apply to the commissioner for
authority to assess students in grade levels three through eight
under the alternative system. The commissioner shall approve a
district's application unless exceptional circumstances indicate
that approval for the specific district is unwarranted.
(c) Under the alternative system, the assessment
instruments required by Sections 39.023(a), (b), and (l) shall be
used to assess a student's progress over the course of a school
year. To achieve that purpose, a school district that obtains
approval under Subsection (b) of this section shall administer the
assessment instruments to students at the beginning of the school
year and at the end of the school year.
(d) For purposes of public school accountability under this
chapter, the performance of a school district participating in the
alternative system shall be determined on the basis of a student's
progress during the school year.
(e) This section does not affect the applicability of
Section 28.0211 to students enrolled in a school district
participating in an alternative system.
(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.