84R9799 KJE-F

By: Anderson of Dallas H.B. No. 2195

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of college preparation assessment instruments to public school students at state cost.

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

SECTION 1. Section 39.0261, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the assessment instruments otherwise authorized or required by this subchapter:

(1) each school year and at state cost, a school district may [shall] administer to students in the spring of the eighth grade an established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the purpose of diagnosing the academic strengths and deficiencies of students before entrance into high school;

(2) each school year and at state cost, a school district may [shall] administer to students in the 10th grade an established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the purpose of measuring a student's progress toward readiness for college and the workplace; and

(3) high school students in the spring of the 11th grade or during the 12th grade may select and take once, at state cost, one of the valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced assessment instruments used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admissions processes.

(a-1) Testing under Subsection (a) must meet standards adopted by commissioner rule, including standards concerning:

(1) test administration, scheduling, and accommodations;

(2) data collection; and

(3) reporting.

(b) The agency shall:

(1) select and approve vendors of the specific assessment instruments administered under this section; and

(2) pay all fees associated with the administration of the assessment instrument from funds appropriated to the agency for that purpose [allotted under the Foundation School Program, and the commissioner shall reduce the total amount of state funds allocated to each district from any source in the same manner described for a reduction in allotments under Section 42.253].

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.