BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2800

By: Dean

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test includes multiple subjects that test the knowledge and skills assessed by state-mandated curriculum standards. However, federal standards under the Every Student Succeeds Act require students to be tested in fewer subjects. Concerns have been raised regarding the costs of developing and administering STAAR tests that are not required by federal law. H.B. 2800 seeks to address these concerns by removing the mandate to administer certain tests in public schools.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2800 amends the Education Code to remove the mandate to administer statewide standardized tests in writing in grades four and seven and social studies in grade eight and end‑of-course tests for secondary-level courses in English I and United States history.   

H.B. 2800 repeals Section 39.0238, Education Code, which provides for the adoption and administration of postsecondary readiness tests for Algebra II and English III.

H.B. 2800 applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.