H.B. No. 8, introduced by Buckley, seeks to improve public school accountability and transparency in Texas through a new instructionally supportive assessment program. The bill amends the Education Code to ensure that parents have online access to state assessment instruments and results via a dedicated parent portal, with notifications for new results. It outlines a transition from the current STAAR program to the new assessment framework by the 2027-2028 school year, emphasizing progress monitoring and alignment with essential knowledge and skills. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with developing various assessment instruments and conducting studies to ensure their appropriateness for different grade levels. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for assessing emergent bilingual students in Spanish for up to three years and allows for alternative assessment instruments to be used by school districts.

The legislation also includes significant amendments to enhance the evaluation and accountability of school districts and campuses. It establishes new performance standards, requires the commissioner to report on modifications to these standards, and creates an Accountability Advisory Committee for stakeholder engagement. The bill introduces a grant program for local accountability plans and clarifies conditions for performance designations. It emphasizes the importance of scientific research in assessment instruments and mandates targeted professional development for teachers in underperforming campuses. Overall, the bill aims to streamline accountability processes, improve educational outcomes, and provide better support for diverse student populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 26.005, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.0263, Education Code 39.0301, Education Code 39.304, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 39.054, Education Code 39.0541, Education Code 39.0542, Education Code 39.0544, Education Code 39.201, The following provisions of the Education Code 39.0531, Education Code 7.057, Education Code 39.001, Education Code 39.151, Education Code 7.056, Education Code 11.185, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 39.02342, Education Code 39.0236, Education Code 39.0238, Education Code 39.025, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.030, Education Code 39.031, Education Code 39.035, Education Code 39.203 (The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 39, Education Code 7, Education Code 21, Education Code 11, Education Code 26)