H.B. No. 4 seeks to amend the Education Code in Texas to enhance the assessment and accountability of public school students and institutions. Key provisions include the prohibition of exemptions or waivers from certain requirements related to criminal conduct and public school accountability, as well as the introduction of a new appeals process for decisions made by the commissioner. The bill establishes a streamlined statewide assessment program that supports classroom instruction, reduces the assessment burden, and emphasizes the involvement of classroom teachers in the scoring process. It also mandates the redesign of assessment instruments and the provision of technical assistance to school districts, while allowing for the consideration of religious holy days in assessment scheduling.

Additionally, the bill introduces a comprehensive framework for evaluating school performance, assigning ratings from A to F based on achievement indicators, and includes provisions for a "Not Rated" designation under specific circumstances. It establishes a Local Accountability Grant Program to assist districts in developing local accountability systems and limits legal actions against the state by requiring districts to exhaust administrative remedies before litigation. The bill also updates regulations regarding escrow accounts for school districts and charter schools, allowing funds to be used for attorney fees only after final judgments, and mandates that remaining funds be deposited into the foundation school fund. Overall, H.B. No. 4 aims to improve the effectiveness and fairness of educational assessments and accountability in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 7.056, Education Code 7.057, Education Code 11.182, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.0238, Education Code 39.026, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.029, Education Code 39.030, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 39.054, Education Code 39.0541, Education Code 39.0542, Education Code 39.151, Education Code 39.201, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7.057, Labor Code 312.003, Education Code 39.102 (Education Code 11, Labor Code 312, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Education Code 7, Education Code 39)