Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB22

Caption

Relating to public school accountability.

Impact

The implementation of HB22 is expected to create a more robust framework for accountability in schools. It places significant emphasis on assessing student achievement through standardized measures, which will be disaggregated by ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other critical demographics. By doing so, the bill seeks to identify achievement gaps within the education system and enforce that campuses establish plans to address these disparities effectively. This focus on data-driven decisions could significantly shape educational strategies and resource allocations at the district and campus levels, thus impacting educational outcomes for all students.

Summary

House Bill 22 focuses on enhancing public school accountability within the Texas education system. The bill mandates that each school district must develop, evaluate, and revise an improvement plan annually, targeting the enhancement of student performance across various demographics and achievement indicators. Notably, it introduces a structured rating system for campuses, assigning a letter grade (A to F) based on their overall performance and specific accountability measures derived from both state-mandated assessments and locally developed domains. This move aims to clarify performance expectations and foster transparency in school performance across Texas.

Sentiment

Sentiment surrounding HB22 appears cautiously optimistic, particularly among proponents who regard the bill as a necessary step towards improving educational accountability and outcomes. Advocates argue that the transparent performance ratings will empower parents, educators, and communities by providing clear insights into school effectiveness. However, some educational stakeholders express concern about the potential for over-reliance on standardized assessments, which might overshadow broader educational goals like fostering creativity and critical thinking among students. Consequently, while many see promise in the bill's provisions, there are also apprehensions regarding how its parameters will be enacted in practice.

Contention

One notable point of contention involves the balance between standardized assessment and locally tailored accountability measures. Critics argue that an extensive focus on uniform metrics risks neglecting the unique circumstances faced by individual schools, particularly those serving diverse populations with varied educational needs. Additionally, the need for local accountability plans raises questions about oversight and support for districts that may struggle to develop effective strategies. The interplay between state mandates and local decision-making processes thus remains a key concern as stakeholders navigate the implications of this legislation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB3517

Relating to public school accountability.

TX HB4691

Relating to public school accountability, including performance standards and sanctions and public high school graduation requirements.

TX HB2661

Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system.

TX HB4514

Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.

TX SB2295

Relating to accelerated instruction provided for public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments, indicators under the public school accountability system, and performance standards in public schools.

TX HB174

Relating to the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB75

Relating to the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB4402

Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB5181

Relating to a standard and set of indicators in the academic accountability system.

TX SB789

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

Similar Bills

TX SB3

Relating to public school accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.

TX HB3

Relating to public school accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.

TX SB2051

Relating to evaluating public school performance.

TX HB2804

Relating to evaluation of public school performance.

TX HB2132

Relating to evaluating public school performance and implementing measures for public school accountability.

TX HB1321

Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation or to make certain accountability determinations.

TX HB736

Relating to eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation or to make certain accountability determinations.

TX SB260

Relating to the administration of assessment instruments in public schools and eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation or to make certain accountability determinations.