Texas House Bill HB1192

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration of public school assessment instruments and the temporary suspension of certain accountability determinations for a school district or campus in a school year in which the operations of the district or campus are disrupted as a result of a declared disaster and the requirement to use those assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation of a public school student.

Impact

The bill introduces amendments to the Education Code, allowing the commissioner to seek waivers from the U.S. Department of Education regarding standardized testing requirements for affected schools. If a waiver is not granted, the bill safeguards schools from being penalized based on assessment results during disruptive events, thus encouraging stability and focus on recovery rather than on potentially detrimental testing outcomes. This change is intended to alleviate the pressures faced by both students and schools during challenging times.

Summary

House Bill 1192 addresses the administration of public school assessment tools and the temporary suspension of certain accountability measures for school districts or campuses impacted by declared disasters. The bill aims to protect students and educational institutions by preventing the use of assessment results for evaluating performance and determining student promotions or graduations during years affected by such disasters. This is critical in cases where school operations are disrupted by natural disasters or public emergencies.

Contention

One point of contention surrounding HB 1192 is the potential implications it may have on educational accountability standards. Critics may argue that suspending accountability measures could lead to a decline in educational quality and oversight during the periods of disaster recovery. On the other hand, proponents assert that the bill is necessary to ensure that schools can focus on rebuilding and supporting their students during difficult periods without the additional stress of performance evaluations that may not accurately reflect their capabilities or circumstances.