Texas House Bill HB4839

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/10/23

Caption

Relating to the accountability system for public school educator preparation programs.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4839 will have significant implications for how educator preparation programs are monitored and evaluated. The legislation seeks to ensure that these programs maintain high standards by using disaggregated data on different demographic groups, which addresses equity in education by focusing on the performance of teachers from various backgrounds. Furthermore, the requirement to conduct teacher satisfaction surveys will provide valuable feedback on the preparation process, potentially leading to reforms aimed at improving the quality of teaching in Texas schools.

Summary

House Bill 4839 aims to enhance the accountability system for public school educator preparation programs in Texas. The bill proposes amendments to the Education Code that establish standards for ongoing accountability, ensuring that these programs are evaluated based on various metrics. These metrics include certification examination results, performance appraisals of new teachers, and academic improvements observed in students taught by newly certified teachers. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of student teaching supervision and incorporates teacher satisfaction surveys into the accountability framework.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 4839 appears to be largely positive, particularly among educators and stakeholders concerned with the quality of teacher preparation. Proponents argue that the enhanced accountability measures will ultimately lead to better educational outcomes for students. However, there may be some concerns over the potential administrative burden this could impose on educator preparation programs, especially regarding compliance with new reporting and evaluative standards.

Contention

While there is considerable support for the bill, some notable points of contention may arise around the specifics of the accountability measures proposed. Critics could argue that the increased focus on standardized metrics might unintentionally promote a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to educator preparation, potentially overlooking the varied needs of different teaching environments. Additionally, discussions may emerge about the implications of teacher satisfaction surveys, especially regarding how their results will be used to assess and improve programs versus potentially penalizing them.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 21. Educators
  • Section: New Section