84R9799 KJE-F
By: Anderson of Dallas H.B. No. 2195
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the administration of college preparation assessment
instruments to public school students at state cost.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.0261, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) In addition to the assessment instruments otherwise
authorized or required by this subchapter:
(1) each school year and at state cost, a school
district may [shall] administer to students in the spring of the
eighth grade an established, valid, reliable, and nationally
norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment
instrument for the purpose of diagnosing the academic strengths and
deficiencies of students before entrance into high school;
(2) each school year and at state cost, a school
district may [shall] administer to students in the 10th grade an
established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced
preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the
purpose of measuring a student's progress toward readiness for
college and the workplace; and
(3) high school students in the spring of the 11th
grade or during the 12th grade may select and take once, at state
cost, one of the valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced
assessment instruments used by colleges and universities as part of
their undergraduate admissions processes.
(a-1) Testing under Subsection (a) must meet standards
adopted by commissioner rule, including standards concerning:
(1) test administration, scheduling, and
accommodations;
(2) data collection; and
(3) reporting.
(b) The agency shall:
(1) select and approve vendors of the specific
assessment instruments administered under this section; and
(2) pay all fees associated with the administration of
the assessment instrument from funds appropriated to the agency for
that purpose [allotted under the Foundation School Program, and the
commissioner shall reduce the total amount of state funds allocated
to each district from any source in the same manner described for a
reduction in allotments under Section 42.253].
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
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, 2015.