By: Powell S.B. No. 1855
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a survey developed and administered by the Texas
  Education Agency prior to assessment instruments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.040 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.040.  COVID-19 ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT SURVEY. (a)
  The agency, in consultation with Texas A&M University-Commerce,
  parent teacher associations, interested school districts, and
  other interested parties shall develop and administer a survey to
  each student immediately prior to the administration to the student
  of an assessment instrument required under Section 39.023.
         (b)  A survey administered under this section must:
               (1)  address the student's experience during the
  coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including problems or
  issues with Internet connectivity or access experienced by the
  student;
               (2)  collect information on the socioeconomic status of
  the student;
               (3)  collect information on whether the student
  participated in digital and online learning or in-person learning;
  and
               (4)  any additional questions the Commissioner may deem
  appropriate.
         (c)  The agency shall use the results of surveys administered
  under this section to adopt and amend agency policies, procedures,
  and rules relating to the administration of assessment instruments
  under Section 39.023.
         (d)  No later than November 1. 2022, the agency shall submit
  to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
  of representatives, and the agency a report of the results of the
  survey administered under Sect. 39.040 and any recommendations for
  legislative or other actions. 
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act and before the administration during the 2021-2022
  school year of an assessment instrument required by Section 39.023,
  Education Code, the Texas Education Agency shall develop the survey
  required under Section 39.040, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  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, 2021.