85R7355 GCB-D
By: Roberts H.B. No. 2130
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study conducted by the Texas Education Agency
regarding the impact of the statewide assessment program on
students in special education programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.02302 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.02302. STUDY OF IMPACT OF STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM ON STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) The agency
shall conduct a study of the impact of the statewide assessment
program on students in a special education program under Subchapter
A, Chapter 29.
(b) In conducting the study, the agency shall address:
(1) whether the agency has determined that the
administration of alternate assessment instruments to students in a
special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, as
provided by Section 39.023(b) complies with the Every Student
Succeeds Act (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.); and
(2) whether administering state-required assessment
instruments, other than assessment instruments developed or
adopted under Section 39.023(b), to students in a special education
program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, will:
(A) provide an accurate assessment of the
academic achievement of the students;
(B) result in the administration of assessment
instruments that are inappropriate for the educational capacity of
the students; and
(C) result in an increase of grade-level
regression for the students.
(c) In conducting the study the agency shall identify
specific recommendations to improve the impact of the statewide
assessment program on students in a special education program under
Subchapter A, Chapter 29, including recommendations for areas for
improvement in:
(1) any reforms or changes with respect to contracting
with assessment instrument vendors;
(2) any changes to rules adopted by the State Board of
Education or the commissioner relating to the development,
adoption, or administration of assessment instruments; and
(3) any statutory changes to this code relating to the
development, adoption, or administration of assessment
instruments.
(d) Not later than October 1, 2018, the agency shall submit
a report to each member of the legislature containing the agency's
determinations and recommendations under this section.
(e) This section expires January 1, 2019.
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, 2017.