By: Powell S.B. No. 1855
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a survey developed and administered by the Texas
Education Agency prior to assessment instruments.
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. COVID-19 ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT SURVEY. (a)
The agency, in consultation with Texas A&M University-Commerce,
parent teacher associations, interested school districts, and
other interested parties shall develop and administer a survey to
each student immediately prior to the administration to the student
of an assessment instrument required under Section 39.023.
(b) A survey administered under this section must:
(1) address the student's experience during the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including problems or
issues with Internet connectivity or access experienced by the
student;
(2) collect information on the socioeconomic status of
the student;
(3) collect information on whether the student
participated in digital and online learning or in-person learning;
and
(4) any additional questions the Commissioner may deem
appropriate.
(c) The agency shall use the results of surveys administered
under this section to adopt and amend agency policies, procedures,
and rules relating to the administration of assessment instruments
under Section 39.023.
(d) No later than November 1. 2022, the agency shall submit
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and the agency a report of the results of the
survey administered under Sect. 39.040 and any recommendations for
legislative or other actions.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act and before the administration during the 2021-2022
school year of an assessment instrument required by Section 39.023,
Education Code, the Texas Education Agency shall develop the survey
required under Section 39.040, Education Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
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, 2021.