BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3259
By: Branch (Shapiro)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current academic testing only assesses that students have mastered objectives outlined in the provisions regarding Texas essential knowledge and skills. While there is no prohibition against international assessments, there is no manner by which Texas may compare results of Texas students with students of other countries. Because today's Texas students will be tomorrow's workforce competing in a global economy, it is important for this state to know how our students compare to students in other countries.
H.B. 3259 establishes a program for school districts to administer international assessment tests to students in the district and specifies a funding source for the program. This program allows the commissioner of education to compare the performance of Texas students to students of the same grade level in other countries. This bill requires the results of student performance on the international assessments to be reported to certain elected officials and each school district.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, by adding Section 39.037, as follows:
Sec. 39.037. INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT PROGRAM. (a) Defines "program."
(b) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to establish a program under which a participating school district administers international assessment instruments to students in the district.
(c) Authorizes a school district to apply to the commissioner to participate in the international assessment instrument program (program). Requires the commissioner to select for participation school districts from both rural and urban areas of the state. Authorizes the commissioner, if necessary, to require a school district to participate in the program.
(d) Requires a participating school district to administer international assessment instruments as required by the commissioner.
(e) Requires the commissioner to perform certain duties in administering the program.
(f) Authorizes the commissioner each biennium to use funds appropriated for the Foundation School Program to provide funding for the program in an amount not to exceed $2 million.
(g) Requires the commissioner, not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, to prepare and deliver a report describing the results of student performance on the international assessment instruments to certain elected officials and each school district.
(h) Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules necessary to administer this section.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2007-2008 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.