Bill Text: TX HB2934 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the assessment of public school students in writing under an alternative method.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-12 - Referred to Public Education [HB2934 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB2934-Introduced.html

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86R12309 MP-F
By: Zwiener H.B. No. 2934

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the assessment of public school students in writing
under an alternative method.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.023, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-14) to read as follows:
(a-14) An assessment instrument administered to students in
grade four to assess skills in writing is not subject to Subsections
(a-12) and (a-13).
SECTION 2. Sections 39.02301(b), (f), (h), and (j),
Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) During the 2020-2021 [2016-2017] and 2021-2022
[2017-2018] school years, the agency shall operate [establish] a
pilot program as provided by this section to implement in
designated school districts the writing assessment method
developed under Subsection (a).
(f) The agency, in consultation with teachers, shall
develop a rubric for scoring student writing assessments under the
pilot program. The individuals responsible for scoring student
writing assessments [under the pilot program] shall be coordinated
[jointly] by the agency with joint participation of:
(1) the school district in which the student is
enrolled and that is participating in the pilot program;
(2) a public junior college or institution of higher
education that enters into an agreement with the participating
school district; and
(3) the regional education service center that serves
the participating district.
(h) [Not later than September 1, 2016, the agency shall
prepare and deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer
of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction
over primary and secondary education a report covering the study of
the development of the writing assessment method under Subsection
(a).] Not later than September 1, 2021, and September 1, 2022 [of
each year in 2017 and 2018], the agency shall prepare and deliver to
the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the presiding officer of each legislative
standing committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and
secondary education a report that:
(1) evaluates the implementation and progress of the
pilot program under this section; and
(2) makes recommendations regarding the continuation
or expansion of the pilot program.
(j) This section expires September 1, 2023 [2019].
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.