Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4967

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to public school accountability, including assessment of academic skills, performance standards and sanctions, and public high school graduation requirements.

Impact

The proposed legislation is designed to create a more transparent and measurable framework for assessing educational outcomes in Texas. By setting clear performance indicators, the bill seeks to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their background. The inclusion of disaggregated data is particularly noteworthy as it aims to highlight disparities in achievement among different racial and socioeconomic groups, thus facilitating targeted interventions for underperforming schools and students. This approach reflects a commitment to educational equity and improved student outcomes across the board.

Summary

House Bill 4967 aims to enhance public school accountability in Texas by introducing comprehensive assessments of academic skills and establishing performance standards for both school districts and individual campuses. It emphasizes a multi-domain evaluation system that assesses student achievement, school progress, and the ability to close academic gaps across various demographic groups. The bill mandates that performance evaluations be based on a variety of indicators, including standardized test results, college readiness benchmarks, and student participation in advanced coursework, thereby aiming to elevate academic standards within the state's education system.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 4967 appears to be largely positive among educational stakeholders who advocate for accountability and high standards in public education. Proponents argue that a well-defined evaluation system can lead to significant improvements in academic performance and more equitable educational opportunities. However, there are also concerns from some educators and community advocates who fear that excessive standardized testing could undermine the quality of teaching and learning by narrowing the curriculum. This debate underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing accountability with the need for a holistic educational experience.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 4967 include the degree to which standardized testing should dictate educational strategies and the potential pressure it may place on both teachers and students. Critics argue that an overemphasis on test scores might lead to teaching-to-the-test practices that can detract from creativity and critical thinking in education. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the readiness of schools to implement such comprehensive evaluation systems and whether they have the necessary resources to support all students adequately. These discussions highlight the complexities involved in reworking the educational accountability framework in Texas.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 39. Public School System Accountability
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX SB2303

Identical Relating to public school accountability, including assessment of academic skills, performance standards and sanctions, and public high school graduation requirements.

Previously Filed As

TX SB2303

Relating to public school accountability, including assessment of academic skills, performance standards and sanctions, and public high school graduation requirements.

TX HB4691

Relating to public school accountability, including performance standards and sanctions and public high school graduation requirements.

TX HB4514

Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.

TX HB3904

Relating to public school accountability, including certain performance standards and sanctions, to providing alternative methods to satisfy certain public high school graduation requirements, and to public school class size limits.

TX HB3796

Relating to public school accountability, including the administration of assessment instruments in public schools, the assignment of public school campus performance ratings, and the creation of the Texas Commission on Public School Assessment and Accountability.

TX SB1962

Relating to public school accountability, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement and public school performance ratings under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.

TX HB2132

Relating to evaluating public school performance and implementing measures for public school accountability.

TX SB1618

Relating to public school accountability, including assessment, and curriculum requirements.

TX HB1035

Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle, and junior high school campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.

TX HB3346

Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle school, and junior high campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.