The bill, introduced by Lopez of Cameron, seeks to improve the assessment framework in Texas public schools by establishing an instructionally supportive assessment program. Key amendments include the requirement for educational plans to set annual performance goals in reading language arts and mathematics, as well as targeted professional development for teachers at underperforming campuses. The State Board of Education is tasked with creating a streamlined assessment program focused on progress monitoring, providing actionable information to educators, students, and parents. The bill also modifies the selection criteria for teachers in literacy achievement academies, ensuring that those at underperforming campuses are prioritized.

Additionally, the bill introduces several changes to the design and administration of assessment instruments, such as integrating writing skills into reading language arts assessments and requiring detailed diagnostic reports within 24 hours of assessment completion. It emphasizes the use of valid and reliable assessments aligned with state curriculum standards while limiting the impact on instructional time. The bill also mandates the inclusion of emergent bilingual students in performance reports and establishes a norm-referenced assessment system for their evaluation. Furthermore, it broadens the evaluation criteria for school districts and campuses, linking funding entitlements to student performance on third-grade reading assessments starting in the 2030-2031 school year. The legislation is set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, pending legislative approval for immediate implementation.

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 11, Education Code 29, Education Code 39)