The bill, H.B. No. 221, aims to eliminate certain state-required assessment instruments and end-of-course assessments that are not mandated by federal law. Key amendments include changes to Section 28.0211(a-8) of the Education Code, which now restricts school districts from providing supplemental instruction to students in more than two subject areas per school year, prioritizing mathematics and reading. Additionally, Section 39.023 is amended to remove the requirement for assessments in social studies and to limit end-of-course assessments to reading, mathematics, and science, only as necessary to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill also introduces a provision that allows the State Board of Education to reduce the number or frequency of assessments if federal requirements change.

Further amendments include adjustments to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) provisions, allowing students who meet certain benchmarks to be exempt from specific end-of-course assessments. The bill repeals Section 39.023(c-9) and modifies the criteria for distinction designations awarded to campuses based on academic achievement. The changes are set to take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect possible if a two-thirds majority vote is achieved in both houses of the legislature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.203 (Education Code 39)