BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2033
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
This bill addresses instances in school districts where teachers have reported that local district officials have required them to assign minimum passing grades regardless of student performance on assignments in order to reduce student course failures and their impact on district drop-out rates.
S.B. 2033 requires a school district to adopt a school district grading policy prior to the start of the school year that must require a teacher to assign grades that reflect a student's mastery of an assignment, may not require a teacher to assign a minimum grade without regard to student's quality of work, and may allow a student a reasonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the student received a failing grade.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.0216, as follows:
Sec. 28.0216. DISTRICT GRADING POLICY. Requires a school district to adopt a grading policy, including provisions for the assignment of grades on class assignments and examinations, before each school year. Provides that a district grading policy must require a classroom teacher to assign a grade that reflects the student's relative mastery of an assignment, may not require a classroom teacher to assign a minimum grade for an assignment without regard to the student's quality of work, and may allow a student a reasonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the student received a failing grade.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.