H.B. No. 277 aims to enhance the assessment framework in Texas public schools by establishing an instructionally supportive assessment program. The bill introduces new requirements for assessment instruments and professional development for teachers, including annual goals for student growth in reading language arts and mathematics, targeted professional development for early grades, and a statewide assessment program focused on progress monitoring. It emphasizes providing actionable information to educators and stakeholders to improve student instruction and learning outcomes. Additionally, the bill modifies criteria for selecting teachers for literacy achievement academies, prioritizing those in schools with a high percentage of educationally disadvantaged students, and mandates that assessment instruments be based on scientific research.

The bill also includes specific amendments to the Education Code regarding assessment instruments, such as integrating writing skills into reading language arts assessments and ensuring assessments are adaptive to individual student performance. It requires detailed diagnostic reports to be provided to teachers and parents within 24 hours of assessment completion and mandates annual reviews of assessment readability. Furthermore, it outlines timelines for assessments, limits the percentage of assessment points from technology-enhanced items, and allows for optional assessments in social studies and U.S. history. The bill also mandates a norm-referenced assessment system for emergent bilingual students and emphasizes the inclusion of their performance in various reports. Overall, H.B. No. 277 seeks to improve educational accountability and student achievement through a more effective assessment system, with implementation set to begin in the 2026-2027 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 11.185, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 29.056, Education Code 39.022, Education Code 39.023, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.028, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 39.203 (Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 29, Education Code 11)