H.B. No. 2866 seeks to enhance public school accountability in Texas by amending various sections of the Education Code. The bill introduces new provisions that allow school districts to appeal decisions made by the commissioner of education only if they are aggrieved by a decision. It also mandates that assessment instruments be validated by an independent entity and requires the agency to maintain a list of eligible industry certifications that align with high-wage, high-skill occupations. The legislation emphasizes evaluating school performance across multiple domains, including student achievement and progress, and establishes a structured rating system for school districts and campuses. Additionally, it clarifies the evaluation process and performance ratings, ensuring schools are assessed on their effectiveness in promoting student learning.

Further amendments include the requirement for the commissioner to publicly release performance ratings for each school district and campus by August 15 each year, with exceptions for districts affected by disasters or data integrity issues. The bill introduces a "Not Rated" performance status that does not count against a district's consecutive years of unacceptable ratings, allowing for continued interventions during this period. It also establishes a Local Accountability Grant Program to assist districts in developing local accountability systems and clarifies the process for adopting performance indicators. The bill mandates that interventions be imposed based on performance ratings for the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school years, regardless of subsequent performance, and includes provisions regarding the use of state funding in legal actions against the state. The changes will take effect starting with the 2022-2023 school year, pending a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 7.057, Education Code 11.182, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 39.054, Education Code 39.0541, Education Code 39.0542, Education Code 39.151, Education Code 39.201, Labor Code 312.003, Education Code 39.102 (Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 39, Labor Code 312)