Texas House Bill HB3973

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the validity, reliability, and design of certain state-adopted or state-developed assessment instruments for public school students.

Impact

The bill directly affects the Education Code by mandating changes in how assessment tools are evaluated and utilized. Its primary goal is to enhance the credibility of assessment instruments, potentially improving educational outcomes for students by ensuring that tests accurately measure student comprehension and skills according to the state standards. This could lead to more constructive feedback for educators and students alike, addressing the historical issues with standardized testing in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 3973 focuses on the validity and reliability of state-adopted or state-developed assessment instruments for public school students in Texas. The bill requires that before any assessment instrument can be administered, it must be validated by an independent entity that confirms its appropriate design for assessing student comprehension of the essential knowledge and skills set by the State Board of Education. This legislation aims to ensure that assessments are both reliable and relevant to the curriculum standards dictated for each grade level.

Contention

There has been some debate surrounding the implications of HB3973, particularly regarding the independence of the entities responsible for validating the assessment tools. Proponents argue that independence is crucial for unbiased results, while critics might raise concerns about the feasibility and cost of continuous independent assessments. Another point of contention may arise around the broadened definition of what constitutes a valid and reliable assessment, which could lead to varied interpretations among stakeholders in the education system.