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.