BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1033

By: Burns

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerned parties suggest that certain assessments administered to students with significant cognitive disabilities in special education programs fail to benefit the students. H.B. 1033 seeks to address this issue by requiring the Texas Education Agency to apply for a federal waiver to exempt public school students with significant cognitive disabilities from annual assessment requirements imposed by federal law.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1033 requires the Texas Education Agency, not later than January 1, 2018, to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver of the annual alternate assessment of students with significant cognitive disabilities required under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.