86R6140 GCB-D
By: Leman H.B. No. 1991
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authorization of alternative assessment
instruments for use under the public school accountability system
in evaluating secondary-level student achievement in mathematics,
reading, and writing.
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 assessment instruments, including the SAT and the ACT,
as additional alternative assessment instruments that may be used
to evaluate secondary-level student achievement in mathematics,
reading, and writing for purposes of complying with accountability
requirements under this chapter.
(b) 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.
(c) A school district may select only one additional
alternative assessment instrument identified as provided under
Subsection (a) for evaluating secondary-level student achievement
as provided by that subsection. A school district that selects an
additional alternative assessment instrument shall administer the
assessment instrument to students in grade 11.
(d) The commissioner by rule shall designate performance
standards for each assessment instrument identified under
Subsection (a) in the same manner as the commissioner designates
performance standards for student performance on each
end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c).
(e) The commissioner by rule shall provide all necessary
procedures relating to providing accommodations in administering
an additional assessment instrument identified as provided under
Subsection (a) for a student for whom an individualized education
plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.) or a plan under Section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), has been
created.
SECTION 2. Section 39.053, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-5) to read as follows:
(c-5) The commissioner by rule shall determine a method for
appropriately including under Subsection (c)(1) the results of
alternative assessment instruments administered as authorized
under Section 39.040, based on student performance as determined
under the performance standards designated for the appropriate
assessment instrument under Subsection (d) of that section.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules
regarding the authorization of alternative assessment instruments
for use under the public school accountability system as provided
by this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.