TITLE: Relating to the implementation of the administration of certain assessment instruments for public school students.

SUMMARY: Relating to the implementation of the administration of certain assessment instruments for public school students.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the implementation of the administration of certain assessment instruments for public school students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 39.023, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows: (a-2) An assessment instrument administered in the 2011-2012 or 2012-2013 school year must be in the same form as an assessment instrument administered in the 2010-2011 school year. SECTION 2. Sections 39.025(f) and (g), Education Code, are amended to read as follows: (f) The commissioner shall by rule adopt a transition plan to implement the amendments made by Chapter 1312 (S.B. No. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, replacing general subject assessment instruments administered at the high school level with end-of-course assessment instruments. The rules must provide for the end-of-course assessment instruments adopted under Section 39.023(c) to be administered beginning with students entering the ninth grade during the 2013-2014 [2011-2012] school year. During the period under which the transition to end-of-course assessment instruments is made: (1) for students entering a grade above the ninth grade during the 2013-2014 [2011-2012] school year, the commissioner shall retain, administer, and use for purposes of accreditation and other campus and district accountability measures under this chapter the assessment instruments required by Section 39.023(a) or (c), as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312 (S.B. No. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007; (2) a student subject to Subdivision (1) may not receive a high school diploma unless the student has performed satisfactorily on each required assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(c) as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312 (S.B. No. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007; and (3) the agency may defer releasing assessment instrument questions and answer keys as required by Section 39.023(e) to the extent necessary to develop additional assessment instruments. (g) Rules adopted under Subsection (f) must require that each student who will be subject to the requirements of Subsection (a) is entitled to notice of the specific requirements applicable to the student. Notice under this subsection must be provided not later than the date the student enters the eighth grade. Subsection (f) and this subsection expire September 1, 2017 [2015].SECTION 3. 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.