SRC-JRN S.B. 1480 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1480 By: Bivins Education 3-30-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, statistics indicate that of the 350,000 students who took the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Test and failed, 90,000 were third and fourth graders. Some believe that early diagnosis of reading problems is necessary to ensure that children are able to read at grade level. This bill sets forth provisions and instruments to assist children in developing reading skills. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1480 sets forth provisions and instruments to assist children in developing reading skills. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 28A, Education Code, by adding Section 28.006, as follows: Sec. 28.006. READING DIAGNOSIS. Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to develop recommendations for school districts for administering reading instruments (instruments) to diagnose student reading development and comprehension, and training educators in administering and applying the results of the instruments. Requires the commissioner to adopt a list of instruments that a school district is authorized to use to diagnose student reading development and comprehension. Authorizes district- and campuslevel committees established under Chapter 11F to adopt a list of instruments in addition to the instruments on the commissioner's list. Requires each adopted instrument to be based on scientific research concerning reading skills development and reading comprehension. Requires each school district to administer an adopted instrument to children in kindergarten through second grade levels. Requires an instrument to be administered in accordance with the commissioner's recommendations under Subsection (a)(1). Requires the superintendent of each school district to report to a school district's board of trustees the results of the instruments. Prohibits the results of instruments from being used for purposes of appraisals and incentives under Chapter 21 or accountability under Chapter 39. Provides that this section may be implemented only if state funds are appropriated for administering the instruments. Authorizes state funds to be used to pay the cost of administering an instrument only if the instrument is on the list adopted by the commissioner. Requires the commissioner to adopt a list of instruments and recommendations by August 1, 1998. Requires each school district to implement a reading diagnosis program in accordance with this section, and recommendations adopted under this section, beginning with the 1998-1999 school year. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 1999. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.