Texas Senate Bill SB1473

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment and use of performance standards for certain secondary-level alternate assessment instruments administered to public school students.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to impact how alternative assessments contribute to the overall evaluation of student performance within Texas public schools. By enforcing performance standards, SB1473 aims to better align these assessments with academic expectations and accountability measures across the educational system. This could potentially enhance the credibility of alternative assessments, allowing them to serve as a more legitimate avenue for measuring student knowledge and skills.

Summary

SB1473 aims to establish and use performance standards for certain secondary-level alternate assessment instruments administered to public school students in Texas. The bill amends the Education Code, specifically Section 39.0241 and Section 39.053, to ensure that the commissioner of education designates clear performance standards for these assessment instruments similar to those utilized for traditional end-of-course assessments. This standardization is anticipated to provide a more consistent and reliable evaluation framework for students participating in alternative assessments.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB1473 is the tension between standardized testing practices and alternative assessment methods. Critics may argue that an overreliance on standardized performance metrics could undermine the unique value of alternative assessments, which often cater to different learning styles and needs. Additionally, there could be concerns regarding how the designated performance standards may affect schools and educators, particularly in terms of resources and academic pressure as they adapt to the new evaluation criteria.