House Bill No. 3797 amends the Texas Education Code to update the terminology used for certain assessment instruments administered to public school students. Specifically, the bill replaces references to the "ACT-Plan" with "PreACT" in multiple sections, including the methods for satisfying end-of-course assessment requirements and the administration of college preparation assessments. The changes clarify that satisfactory performance on the PSAT or PreACT can be used to meet end-of-course assessment requirements, while students who do not perform satisfactorily on these tests must take the appropriate end-of-course assessment.

Additionally, the bill establishes criteria for an academic distinction designation for school districts and campuses based on student performance in postsecondary readiness. This includes metrics such as the percentage of students achieving satisfactory performance on various assessment instruments, earning industry certifications, completing career and technical courses, and achieving benchmarks on the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or PreACT. The bill aims to enhance clarity in assessment terminology and improve the evaluation of student readiness for postsecondary education. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 39.0263, Education Code 39.202 (Education Code 39)