Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1974 by Mowery (Relating to release by the Texas Education Agency of questions and answer keys to assessment instruments.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would release assessment items on an annual basis, instead of every other year under current law. This would result in increased assessment costs of between approximately $4.0 - $5.0 million on an annualized basis. Because these assessment costs would be funded through an increase in the amount set aside from the Compensatory Education allotment, there would be no additional cost to the state. However, the amount of funding distributed to school districts under the compensatory education allotment would be reduced.
Local Government Impact
Districts would experience a reduction in funding received under the compensatory education allotment due to increased expenditures for test item development resulting from the more frequent release of test items. The reduction in funding associated with this aspect of the bill would be anticipated to range from $4.0 - $5.0 million annually.