TITLE: Relating to a moratorium on administering assessment instruments to public school students under the public school accountability system.

SUMMARY: Relating to a moratorium on administering assessment instruments to public school students under the public school accountability system.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a moratorium on administering assessment instruments to public school students under the public school accountability system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 39.0221 to read as follows: Sec. 39.0221. TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ADMINISTERING ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) The agency shall develop and implement a plan for school districts to suspend the administration of assessment instruments under Section 39.023 for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years. (b) A superintendent of a school district may suspend district administration of assessment instruments under Section 39.023 for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years if the suspension is: (1) approved by the board of trustees of the district; and (2) consistent with the plan developed by the agency under Subsection (a). (c) A superintendent of a school district may apply funds the superintendent identifies as savings from expenditures otherwise required for assessment instruments or the administration of assessment instruments only to: (1) the retention of teachers or other district personnel with direct student contact and involvement; or (2) consumable resources requested by classroom teachers for classroom instruction. (d) The amount of state funding a school district receives each school year is not contingent on a superintendent's decision under this section concerning the administration of assessment instruments under Section 39.023 for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years. (e) This section expires September 1, 2013. SECTION 2. 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.