S.B. No. 8 seeks to enhance accountability and transparency in Texas public schools by implementing a new instructionally supportive assessment program. The bill amends the Education Code to ensure parents have online access to state assessment instruments and results, while establishing a framework focused on progress monitoring to improve student instruction. It outlines a transition plan from the current STAAR program to the new assessment system by the 2027-2028 school year, requiring the Texas Education Agency to contract with a recognized provider and conduct field testing of new assessment items. The bill also includes provisions for assessing emergent bilingual students in Spanish for up to three years and mandates the approval of alternative assessment instruments for school districts.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for the development and administration of assessment instruments, ensuring they align with state standards and minimize disruptions to instructional time. It establishes an Accountability Advisory Committee to advise on performance standards and includes provisions for the assignment of performance ratings and interventions for underperforming campuses. The bill also emphasizes the importance of early education and reading proficiency, allowing the commissioner to enforce compliance with grant programs for low-rated campuses. Overall, S.B. No. 8 aims to improve educational outcomes through refined assessment practices and stricter accountability measures for schools.

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 (Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 26, Education Code 11, The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 7)
Senate Committee Report: 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 (Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 26, Education Code 11, The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 7)
Engrossed: 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 (Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 26, Education Code 11, The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 7)