80R8341 PAM-F

By: Patrick H.B. No. 2530

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to state assessment of public school students in social studies in the fifth grade.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 39.023(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The agency shall adopt or develop appropriate criterion-referenced assessment instruments designed to assess essential knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. All students, except students assessed under Subsection (b), [or] (l), or (n) or exempted under Section 39.027, shall be assessed in:

(1) mathematics, annually in grades three through seven without the aid of technology and in grades eight through 11 with the aid of technology on any assessment instruments that include algebra;

(2) reading, annually in grades three through nine;

(3) writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades four and seven;

(4) English language arts, in grade 10;

(5) social studies, in grades five, eight, and 10;

(6) science, in grades five, eight, and 10; and

(7) any other subject and grade required by federal law.

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 39.0236 to read as follows:

Sec. 39.0236. ASSESSMENT IN SOCIAL STUDIES: FIFTH GRADE. (a) As provided by this section, students in grade five may be assessed in social studies as required by Section 39.023(a)(5) through the administration of the reading assessment instrument required by Section 39.023(a)(2).

(b) Selections included in the reading assessment instrument for grade five under Section 39.023(a)(2) shall contain historical selections with an emphasis on primary source documents.

(c) The commissioner by rule may:

(1) determine the portion of the selections to include in the reading assessment instrument for purposes of assessing essential knowledge and skills in social studies for students in grade five; and

(2) develop procedures for segregating the reporting of results of student performance on the fifth grade social studies portion of the reading assessment instrument under this section.

SECTION 3. The commissioner of education shall adopt rules for the implementation of Section 39.023(a)(5), Education Code, as amended by this Act, and may adopt rules for the implementation of Section 39.0236, Education Code, as added by this Act. The commissioner's rules must provide that:

(1) except as provided by Subdivision (3) of this section, not later than the 2010-2011 school year, the State Board of Education shall administer a social studies assessment instrument to students in the fifth grade as provided by Section 39.023(a)(5), Education Code, as amended by this Act;

(2) except as provided by Subdivision (4) of this section, not later than the 2012-2013 school year, the Texas Education Agency shall include the results of student performance on the fifth grade social studies assessment instrument required by Section 39.023(a)(5), Education Code, as amended by this Act, in evaluating the performance of school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools under Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Education Code;

(3) not later than the 2012-2013 school year, the State Board of Education shall administer an assessment instrument under Section 39.023(b), Education Code, that corresponds to the fifth grade social studies assessment instrument required by Section 39.023(a)(5), Education Code, as amended by this Act; and

(4) not later than the 2014-2015 school year, the Texas Education Agency shall include the results of student performance on the assessment instrument described by Subdivision (3) of this section in evaluating the performance of school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools under Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Education Code.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.