The bill, H.B. No. 159, aims to reform the assessment process for public school students in Texas by introducing interim testing and adaptive, growth-based assessment instruments. It prohibits the use of results from certain required assessments as the sole criterion for evaluating teacher performance or determining compensation. The bill adds a new section to the Education Code, specifically Section 21.419, which explicitly states that assessment results under Section 39.023(a), (b), or (n) cannot be the only basis for teacher evaluations or pay.

Additionally, the bill introduces Section 39.0264, which allows school districts to adopt or develop interim testing and adaptive assessments if a waiver is granted by the U.S. Department of Education. These assessments are designed to adjust difficulty based on student performance and measure academic progress over time. The bill outlines the requirements for administering these assessments, including the need for at least one interim assessment at the beginning and end of the school year. It also mandates that the commissioner of education apply for the necessary waiver by January 1, 2026, with the new provisions taking effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 39.053 (Education Code 39)