84R588 PAM-D
By: González H.B. No. 73
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to academic assessment of public school students with
significant disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.023, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-2) to read as follows:
(b-2) In addition to assessment instruments redeveloped as
provided by Subsection (b-1), the agency, in conjunction with
appropriate interested persons, shall develop, in a manner
consistent with federal law, alternative methods for assessing
significantly cognitively disabled students and medically fragile
students in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter
29, for whom an assessment instrument under Subsection (b) or (b-1)
would not provide an appropriate measure of student achievement, as
determined by the student's admission, review, and dismissal
committee. An alternative method for assessing students under this
subsection may include, to the extent consistent with federal law,
portfolio assessment to evaluate student learning through a series
of student-produced work aligned to curriculum categories. The
commissioner by rule shall adopt procedures as necessary to enable
the administration of assessments developed under this subsection.
SECTION 2. 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.