Texas House Bill HB345

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/19/14

Caption

Relating to the creation of a task force to study the standards of the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test administered to bilingual educators in public schools.

Impact

The task force is mandated to examine whether the current test comprehensively assesses the essential knowledge and skills that bilingual educators need. Key objectives include reviewing the test's effectiveness, ensuring it identifies skill gaps, and investigating if the current passing standards are overly restrictive. This research could have significant implications for how bilingual education is structured, ensuring that educators are adequately prepared for their roles.

Summary

House Bill 345 establishes a task force to study and review the standards of the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test that is administered to bilingual educators in Texas public schools. This bill aims to ensure that the test effectively evaluates the skills necessary for bilingual educators when working with students and their families. The task force will be appointed by the commissioner and will include representatives from various educational departments and professionals in the field.

Contention

There could be notable points of contention surrounding the bill regarding the appropriateness and rigor of the existing test standards. Supporters may argue that the bill is crucial for enhancing educational quality and ensuring a high level of competency among bilingual educators. In contrast, some stakeholders might express concerns over test fairness or equitable access to passing standards, potentially impacting the availability of qualified bilingual educators in the classroom.