Texas House Bill HB1476

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to reporting the performance on assessment instruments of students enrolled in the state virtual school network.

Impact

By repealing Section 30A.110(c) of the Education Code, HB1476 aims to eliminate any existing ambiguities related to performance reporting for the virtual school network. This change will potentially impact how assessment data is collected and utilized, reinforcing the significance of standardized testing in evaluating educational quality across various learning environments. The bill acknowledges the unique challenges faced by virtual learners and aspires to enhance the overall performance assessment framework, thereby promoting improved educational practices within the state.

Summary

House Bill 1476 seeks to amend the Texas Education Code regarding the reporting of performance on assessment instruments for students enrolled in the state virtual school network. The primary goal of the bill is to streamline the process by which performance data is reported, ensuring that stakeholders have access to timely and accurate information about student outcomes in virtual education settings. This initiative reflects a growing emphasis on accountability and transparency within the Texas education system, particularly in response to the rise of online learning.

Contention

While the bill is positioned as a necessary update to the Education Code, there may be points of contention regarding its implications for privacy and accountability. Critics might argue that a focus on standardized assessment measures could ignore the diverse needs of virtual learners, potentially leading to an unfair representation of student success or failure. Moreover, there may be concerns about the adequacy of support for educators and students in the increasingly digital landscape of education, as well as the effectiveness of reporting measures in actually driving improvements in student performance.