H.B. No. 8 aims to enhance public school accountability and transparency in Texas by establishing a new instructionally supportive assessment program. The bill amends the Education Code to ensure that parents have online access to state assessment instruments and their results, while also mandating that school districts and charter schools provide this information through a dedicated portal. It outlines a transition plan from the current State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program to the new assessment program 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 emphasizes maintaining stability in the assessment program and includes provisions for a study to ensure the appropriateness of assessment items for their intended grade levels.

Additionally, the bill introduces several amendments to improve the evaluation and accountability of school districts and campuses. It mandates the commissioner to adopt performance indicators and allows for a "Not Rated" designation under specific circumstances, while ensuring that interventions or sanctions remain in effect despite this status. The bill also enhances transparency by allowing appeals against agency actions in district court and requires school districts to challenge the validity of rules within a specified timeframe. Key insertions include provisions for the administration of assessments in multiple parts, the approval of alternative norm-referenced assessments, and the establishment of a credential library for state-issued credentials. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the assessment process, enhance reporting transparency, and ensure equitable and effective assessments for all students.

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