Texas Senate Bill SB2297

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a review by the state auditor of certain assessment instruments administered to public school students.

Impact

The implementation of SB2297 represents a significant impact on state laws concerning educational assessments. By requiring an official audit and review of the STAAR assessments, the bill aims to promote accountability and transparency in public education metrics. This move could lead to revisions or updates in the testing standards, thereby potentially affecting teaching methods and educational resources allocated to schools. In essence, the bill aims to ensure that the assessments align more closely with educational goals and effectively gauge student learning outcomes.

Summary

SB2297 is a legislative bill aimed at enhancing the evaluation of assessment instruments utilized in public education within Texas. The focus of the bill is to mandate the state auditor to conduct a thorough review of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and the STAAR Alternate assessments. This review is intended to ensure that these assessments effectively measure student success and provide valuable feedback to educators and stakeholders involved in the education system. The bill calls for opportunities for comments from parents, educators, and other interested parties during the review process, emphasizing a collaborative approach to assessment evaluation.

Contention

Although SB2297 seeks to improve educational assessments, there may be points of contention regarding the nature and methodology of the auditor's review. Concerns could arise over the adequacy of the review process, potential biases in assessment evaluations, and the implications of changes made to existing testing methods. Stakeholders in the education sector may debate the effectiveness of standardized testing as a true reflection of student success and whether the review process could lead to changes that either enhance or detract from the educational experience of students. Overall, this bill will likely spur discussions about the suitability of current assessment practices in accommodating diverse learning needs.