85R6600 PAM-D
By: Anderson of Dallas H.B. No. 1993
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authorization of alternative assessment
instruments for use under the public school accountability system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.040 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.040. ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) The
commissioner by rule shall adopt procedures to identify nationally
recognized, norm-referenced assessment instruments as additional
alternative assessment instruments that may be used to evaluate
student achievement for purposes of complying with accountability
requirements under this chapter.
(b) Additional alternative assessment instruments
identified as provided by Subsection (a) may be used:
(1) for grades three through eight, provided that the
commissioner obtains any necessary waiver from the application of
any conflicting federal law or regulation as provided by Subsection
(d); and
(2) for secondary-level courses.
(c) The procedures adopted to identify all additional
alternative assessment instruments under Subsection (a) must be
consistent with the federal procedures required by the Every
Student Succeeds Act (20 U.S.C. Section 6311) for state approval of
nationally recognized high school academic assessment instruments
that are available for local selection, including requiring each
additional alternative assessment instrument identified to be
aligned with the essential knowledge and skills for the appropriate
grade level in the subject assessed.
(d) For purposes of using additional alternative assessment
instruments in grades three through eight, the commissioner shall
seek a waiver from the application of any conflicting federal law or
regulation as a result of the use of multiple assessment
instruments for assessing students in the same grade.
SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2018, the
commissioner of education shall:
(1) adopt rules regarding alternative assessment
instruments as required by Section 39.040, Education Code, as added
by this Act; and
(2) request from the United States Department of
Education a waiver from the application of any conflicting federal
law or regulation as required by Section 39.040(d), Education Code,
as added by this Act, or a written notification that a waiver is not
required.
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, 2017.