Texas House Bill HB2109

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to public school performance ratings.

Impact

The changes proposed in HB2109 will directly affect how school performance is assessed and reported in Texas. By ensuring that performance ratings are tied not only to individual campuses but also to the overall district performance, the bill emphasizes a holistic view of educational achievement. A district cannot achieve an 'A' rating if any of its campuses are rated as 'D' or 'F', thus motivating schools to improve their underperforming campuses to enhance overall ratings.

Summary

House Bill 2109 seeks to amend the Education Code to refine the public school performance rating system. It mandates that the commissioner adopt specific criteria to evaluate the performance of school districts and campuses, assigning ratings from A to F based on their performance. Under this framework, an 'A' rating reflects exemplary performance, while 'D' and 'F' ratings indicate unacceptable performance. This revision aims to improve transparency in how public schools are evaluated and rated, making performance data publicly available annually by a set date.

Contention

Notable points of contention that may arise from HB2109 include concerns about the potential pressure it places on schools to conform to standardized performance metrics. Critics may argue that the strict rating system could lead to negative consequences for schools with lower ratings, such as reduced funding or increased scrutiny. Additionally, there might be discussions on how individual performance ratings could impact teachers, students, and broader educational outcomes, particularly in varying socio-economic contexts across districts. The bill is poised to stir debates about educational equity and access while pushing for accountability in public school performance.