BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1418

89R8295 BCH-D

By: Campbell

 

Education K-16

 

4/9/2025

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas public schools utilize a variety of standardized assessment instruments to measure student performance and determine postsecondary readiness. These assessments include state-mandated end-of-course (EOC) exams, as well as nationally recognized tests like the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and PreACT (formerly ACT-Plan). Current Texas Education Code sections, specifically 39.025, 39.0263, and 39.202, reference these assessments in various contexts, including determining student eligibility for course credit and district/campus academic distinction designations.

 

However, the terminology used to refer to the PreACT assessment (previously known as ACT-Plan) is outdated. This bill aims to update the Education Code to reflect the current name of this assessment instrument, ensuring accuracy and consistency in state educational policies.

 

Senate Bill 1418 (S.B. 1418) is primarily a technical correction, so it has minimal direct impact on students' day-to-day educational experiences.

 

Legislative Intent:

 

The primary legislative intent of S.B. 1418 is to correct the outdated reference to "ACT-Plan" in the Texas Education Code and replace it with the current name, "PreACT." This ensures that the code accurately reflects the current assessment instrument used in Texas public schools.

 

Key Provisions:

 

The replacement of the outdated term "ACT-Plan" with the current term "PreACT" throughout the Texas Education Code.

         This change is found in: Section 39.025(a-2), Section 39.0263(c), Section 39.202.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1418 amends current law relating to the terminology used to refer to certain assessment instruments administered to public school 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 Section 39.025(a-2), Education Code, as follows:

 

(a-2) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to determine a method by which the student's satisfactory performance on the PSAT or the PreACT, rather than the ACT-Plan, is required to be used to satisfy the requirements concerning an end-of-course assessment instrument in an equivalent course as prescribed by Subsection (a) (relating to requiring the commissioner to adopt rules for the administration of certain end-of-course assessment instruments). Makes conforming changes.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 39.0263(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 39.202, Education Code, to make a conforming change.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.