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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authorization of alternative assessment |
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instruments for use under the public school accountability system |
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in evaluating secondary-level student achievement in mathematics, |
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reading, and writing. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.040 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.040. ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) The |
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commissioner by rule shall adopt procedures to identify nationally |
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recognized assessment instruments, including the SAT and the ACT, |
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as additional alternative assessment instruments that may be used |
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to evaluate secondary-level student achievement in mathematics, |
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reading, and writing for purposes of complying with accountability |
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requirements under this chapter. |
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(b) The procedures adopted to identify all additional |
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alternative assessment instruments under Subsection (a) must be |
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consistent with the federal procedures required by the Every |
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Student Succeeds Act (20 U.S.C. Section 6311) for state approval of |
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nationally recognized high school academic assessment instruments |
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that are available for local selection, including requiring each |
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additional alternative assessment instrument identified to be |
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aligned with the essential knowledge and skills for the appropriate |
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grade level in the subject assessed. |
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(c) A school district may select only one additional |
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alternative assessment instrument identified as provided under |
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Subsection (a) for evaluating secondary-level student achievement |
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as provided by that subsection. A school district that selects an |
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additional alternative assessment instrument shall administer the |
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assessment instrument to students in grade 11. |
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(d) The commissioner by rule shall designate performance |
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standards for each assessment instrument identified under |
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Subsection (a) in the same manner as the commissioner designates |
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performance standards for student performance on each |
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end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c). |
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(e) The commissioner by rule shall provide all necessary |
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procedures relating to providing accommodations in administering |
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an additional assessment instrument identified as provided under |
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Subsection (a) for a student for whom an individualized education |
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plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 |
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U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.) or a plan under Section 504, |
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Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), has been |
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created. |
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SECTION 2. Section 39.053, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c-5) to read as follows: |
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(c-5) The commissioner by rule shall determine a method for |
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appropriately including under Subsection (c)(1) the results of |
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alternative assessment instruments administered as authorized |
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under Section 39.040, based on student performance as determined |
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under the performance standards designated for the appropriate |
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assessment instrument under Subsection (d) of that section. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules |
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regarding the authorization of alternative assessment instruments |
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for use under the public school accountability system as provided |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |