S.B. No. 1962 seeks to enhance public school accountability in Texas by implementing a supportive assessment program and revising the administration of assessment instruments. Key provisions include establishing annual goals for student achievement in reading language arts and mathematics, requiring targeted professional development for teachers in underperforming schools, and ensuring parents have online access to state assessment results for their children. The bill introduces a comprehensive assessment program that provides immediate feedback to educators and parents, allowing for tailored instruction to meet individual student needs. It also includes amendments to assessment requirements, such as exempting students in advanced courses from grade-level assessments unless federally mandated, and prohibiting the adoption of assessments based on common core state standards.

Additionally, the bill introduces significant changes to the assessment framework, particularly for early education, by prohibiting the consideration of performance on assessments for prekindergarten through second grade for accountability purposes. It allows school districts with high percentages of special education students to request waivers for certain federal accountability requirements and outlines criteria for assigning performance ratings. The bill also mandates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to create a list of industry certifications aligned with high-wage occupations, while establishing a grant program to support local accountability plans. Overall, the bill aims to improve educational assessment and accountability while ensuring that performance standards are maintained and adapted to meet 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, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39, Education Code 7, Education Code 11)
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, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39, Education Code 7, Education Code 11)
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, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39, Education Code 7, Education Code 11)
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 (Education Code 29, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Labor Code 312, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 26)