Bill Text: TX SB2236 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the list of reading instruments adopted and maintained by the commissioner of education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-22 - Referred to Education [SB2236 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB2236-Introduced.html

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88R6731 DIO-F
By: LaMantia S.B. No. 2236

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the list of reading instruments adopted and maintained
by the commissioner of education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.006, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b), (c), (c-1), (c-2), and (c-3) and adding
Subsections (b-2), (b-3), (b-4), (f-1), and (n) to read as follows:
(b) The commissioner shall adopt a comprehensive list of
reading instruments that a school district may use to diagnose
[student] reading development and comprehension for students who
are enrolled in kindergarten or in the first, second, or seventh
grade. For use in diagnosing the reading development and
comprehension of kindergarten students, the commissioner shall
adopt [a] multidimensional assessment tools [tool] that include
[includes a] reading instruments that test [instrument and tests]
at least three developmental skills, including literacy. A
multidimensional assessment tool administered as provided by this
subsection is considered to be a reading instrument for purposes of
this section. A school district [district-level committee
established under Subchapter F, Chapter 11,] may use other [adopt a
list of] reading instruments, [for use in the district in a grade
level other than kindergarten] in addition to the reading
instruments included on the commissioner's list. Each reading
instrument adopted by the commissioner [or a district-level
committee] must be based on scientific research concerning reading
skills development and reading comprehension. A list of reading
instruments adopted under this subsection must provide for
diagnosing the reading development and comprehension of students
participating in a program under Subchapter B, Chapter 29.
(b-2) The commissioner shall include on the list any reading
instrument that is:
(1) based on scientific research concerning reading
skills development and reading comprehension; and
(2) submitted for inclusion on the list under
Subsection (b-4).
(b-3) The commissioner shall annually update the list of
reading instruments, including multidimensional assessment tools
authorized under this section.
(b-4) The commissioner shall provide an online resource
prominently displayed on the agency's Internet website that
provides information regarding the list of reading instruments
maintained by the commissioner under this section and the annual
process for applying for inclusion on the list, as provided by
agency rule adopted under Subsection (n).
(c) Each school district shall administer, at the first and
second grade levels, a reading instrument that is based on
scientific research concerning reading skills development and
reading comprehension [on the list adopted by the commissioner or
by the district-level committee]. The district shall administer
the reading instrument in accordance with the commissioner's
recommendations under Subsection (a)(1).
(c-1) Each school district shall administer at the
beginning of the seventh grade a reading instrument [adopted by the
commissioner] to each student whose performance on the assessment
instrument in reading administered under Section 39.023(a) to the
student in grade six did not demonstrate reading proficiency, as
determined by the commissioner. The district shall administer the
reading instrument in accordance with the commissioner's
recommendations under Subsection (a)(1).
(c-2) Each school district shall administer at the
kindergarten level a reading instrument [adopted by the
commissioner under Subsection (b) or approved by the commissioner
under Subsection (b-1)]. The district shall administer the reading
instrument in accordance with the commissioner's recommendations
under Subsection (a)(1).
(c-3) The commissioner by rule shall determine the
performance on a [the] reading instrument adopted under Subsection
(b) that indicates kindergarten readiness.
(f-1) A reading instrument made available under Subsection
(f) may not require the purchase of an additional service or
functionality to have full and complete access to the capabilities
of the reading instrument.
(n) The agency by rule shall provide a process for annual
application for inclusion of a reading instrument on the
commissioner's list of reading instruments under this section.
SECTION 2. Section 28.006(b-1), Education Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2023.