S.B. No. 1962 aims to enhance public school accountability in Texas by implementing an instructionally supportive assessment program and revising the administration of assessment instruments. Key provisions require school districts to set annual goals for student achievement in reading language arts and mathematics, provide targeted professional development for teachers, and ensure parents have online access to state assessment results. The bill introduces a focus on progress monitoring through nationally norm-referenced assessment instruments, mandates timely diagnostic reports for teachers and parents, and modifies existing provisions for emergent bilingual students and supplemental instruction.

Additionally, the bill establishes new criteria for performance ratings, allowing districts with high percentages of special education students to request waivers from certain federal accountability requirements. It introduces a collaborative effort between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to maintain a list of industry certifications aligned with high-wage occupations. The bill also streamlines court proceedings related to school districts and charter schools, establishes a publicly accessible credential library, and amends criteria for awarding distinction designations to campuses. Overall, the bill seeks to improve educational assessment and accountability while ensuring alignment with workforce needs.

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, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7.057, Labor Code 312.003, Education Code 39.102 (Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 7, Education Code 39, Labor Code 312)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 7.056, Education Code 7.057, Education Code 11.182, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.0238, Education Code 39.026, Education Code 39.0263, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.028, 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 (Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 7, Education Code 39, Labor Code 312)
Engrossed: Education Code 7.056, Education Code 7.057, Education Code 11.182, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.0238, Education Code 39.026, Education Code 39.0263, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.028, 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 (Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 7, Education Code 39, Labor Code 312)
House Committee Report: Education Code 11.185, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 26.005, Education Code 29.056, Education Code 29.1543, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.0237, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.028, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 39.054, Education Code 39.0541, Education Code 39.0542, Education Code 39.0544, Education Code 39.203 (Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 26, Education Code 7, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Labor Code 312, Education Code 29)