Bill Text: TX HB742 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to eliminating the state-required assessment instrument in social studies administered to public school students in eighth grade.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-22 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB742 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB742-Comm_Sub.html

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84R22432 GCB-D
By: Huberty, Galindo, Metcalf, et al. H.B. No. 742
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 742:
By: Aycock C.S.H.B. No. 742

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eliminating the state-required assessment instrument
in social studies administered to public school students in eighth
grade.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.023(a), Education Code, as effective
until on or before September 1, 2015, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The agency shall adopt or develop appropriate
criterion-referenced assessment instruments designed to assess
essential knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics,
[social studies,] and science. Except as provided by Subsection
(a-2), all students, other than students assessed under Subsection
(b) or (l) or exempted under Section 39.027, shall be assessed in:
(1) mathematics, annually in grades three through
seven without the aid of technology and in grade eight with the aid
of technology on any assessment instrument that includes algebra;
(2) reading, annually in grades three through eight;
(3) writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades
four and seven;
(4) [social studies, in grade eight;
[(5)] science, in grades five and eight; and
(5) [(6)] any other subject and grade required by
federal law.
SECTION 2. Section 39.023(a), Education Code, as effective
on or before September 1, 2015, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The agency shall adopt or develop appropriate
criterion-referenced assessment instruments designed to assess
essential knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics,
[social studies,] and science. Except as provided by Subsection
(a-2), all students, other than students assessed under Subsection
(b) or (l) or exempted under Section 39.027, shall be assessed in:
(1) mathematics, in grades three and five without the
aid of technology and in grade eight with the aid of technology on
any assessment instrument that includes algebra;
(2) reading, in grades three, five, and eight;
(3) writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades
four and seven; and
(4) [social studies, in grade eight; and
[(5)] science, in grades five and eight.
SECTION 3. Section 39.023(a), Education Code, as effective
September 1, 2017, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The agency shall adopt or develop appropriate
criterion-referenced assessment instruments designed to assess
essential knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics,
[social studies,] and science. Except as provided by Subsection
(a-2), all students, other than students assessed under Subsection
(b) or (l) or exempted under Section 39.027, shall be assessed in:
(1) mathematics, annually in grades three through
seven without the aid of technology and in grade eight with the aid
of technology on any assessment instrument that includes algebra;
(2) reading, annually in grades three through eight;
(3) writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades
four and seven;
(4) [social studies, in grade eight;
[(5)] science, in grades five and eight; and
(5) [(6)] any other subject and grade required by
federal law.
SECTION 4. Section 39.203(c), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) In addition to the distinction designations described
by Subsections (a) and (b), a campus that satisfies the criteria
developed under Section 39.204 shall be awarded a distinction
designation by the commissioner for outstanding performance in
academic achievement in English language arts, mathematics, or
science[, or social studies].
SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
school year.
SECTION 6. 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, 2015.