S.B. No. 1962 is a legislative bill aimed at enhancing public school accountability in Texas through a comprehensive assessment program and revised administration of assessment instruments. The bill establishes annual goals for student achievement, provides targeted professional development for teachers, and creates a grant program for local accountability plans. It introduces new requirements for assessments, including adaptive testing that offers immediate feedback, and mandates that the State Board of Education streamline the assessment program to align with state curriculum standards. Additionally, the bill specifies that students in advanced courses are exempt from grade-level assessments unless federally mandated, and it prohibits the use of assessments based on common core state standards.

The bill also includes significant amendments to the Education Code, such as prohibiting the consideration of assessment performance for students in prekindergarten through second grade and allowing college preparatory students to meet readiness benchmarks without certain end-of-course assessments. It establishes a list of industry certifications in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission, and introduces criteria for assigning performance ratings to school districts based on student engagement and workforce development. Furthermore, the bill allows for expedited legal proceedings related to school district evaluations and mandates the creation of a publicly accessible credential library. The legislation is designed to improve educational outcomes while addressing the diverse needs of students and ensuring accountability within the education system.

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 (Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39)
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 (Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39)
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 (Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39)
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 26, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 29, Subchapter Z, Chapter A, Education Code 7, Labor Code 312, Education Code 39, Education Code 21)