BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2124
	By: Creighton
	Education
	4/11/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Delays caused by unfinished learning limit students' ability to enroll in higher level courses and achieve postsecondary success.  For example, current statistics show that only 1 in 5 students whose highest high school math course was Algebra II earned a two-year or four-year college degree or an industry certificate within six years of high school graduation. 

Currently, middle school students are placed in advanced math courses when a teacher, counselor, or parent recommends the student be enrolled in those courses.  However, there are many more students whose test scores and grades indicate that they are ready to take advanced math courses who simply never receive a recommendation and are placed in regular math classes. 

S.B. 2124 requires school districts to establish an opt-out policy to enroll students who are performing in the top two quintiles (40%) on the fifth grade state standardized assessment or a local measure that includes class score and/or demonstrated proficiency in classwork, into accelerated math in sixth grade to improve chances of gaining access to Algebra I in eighth grade.

As proposed, S.B. 2124 amends current law relating to requiring an opt-out policy for accelerated mathematics courses for certain students.

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 A, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.02111, as follows:

Sec. 28.02111. STUDENT QUALIFICATION FOR ACCELERATED MATHEMATICS COURSES. (a) Requires school districts to establish an opt-out policy to enroll students into accelerated math in 6th grade to improve chances of gaining access to Algebra I in 8th grade, to increase the number of students completing advanced math in high school propelling them for college and workforce readiness.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.