S.B. No. 9 seeks to enhance public school accountability and transparency in Texas through the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program. The bill amends various sections of the Education Code to ensure parents have access to state assessment instruments and results, including provisions for online availability. It establishes a new framework focused on progress monitoring, aligning with essential knowledge and skills set by the State Board of Education. The bill mandates that school districts provide parents with access to assessment results via a parent portal and notify them when results are available. Additionally, it outlines a transition plan from the current STAAR program to the new assessment program by the 2027-2028 school year, requiring the Texas Education Agency to conduct field testing and ensure alignment with state educational standards.

The bill also introduces specific amendments to enhance the assessment process for emergent bilingual students, particularly those in grades three through five whose primary language is Spanish, allowing assessments in Spanish for up to three years. It establishes comprehensive requirements for assessment instruments, including validity and reliability standards, and emphasizes timely reporting of results. Furthermore, the bill modifies the performance rating system for school districts, requiring annual ratings and allowing for a "Not Rated" designation under certain circumstances. It streamlines the process for awarding distinction designations and implementing campus turnaround plans, while also enhancing accountability measures for early education and reading proficiency. Overall, S.B. No. 9 aims to improve educational outcomes by refining assessment tools and instructional strategies, ensuring transparency and accountability in the assessment process.

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 7, Education Code 39, The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 21, Education Code 11, Education Code 26)
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 7, Education Code 39, The following provisions of the Education Code 39, Education Code 21, Education Code 11, Education Code 26)