83R2851 CAS-D
 
  By: King of Parker H.B. No. 290
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to school district selection of assessment instruments in
  place of state-administered assessment instruments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 39.026, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 39.026.  LOCAL OPTION. (a) Notwithstanding any other
  provision of this title, in place of [In addition to] the assessment
  instruments adopted by the agency and administered by the State
  Board of Education, a school district board of trustees may adopt
  and provide for administration by district employees of
  [administer] criterion-referenced or norm-referenced assessment
  instruments[, or both,] at any grade level for which administration
  of assessment instruments is required under Section 39.023. An [A
  norm-referenced] assessment instrument adopted and administered 
  under this subsection [section] must be economical[, nationally
  recognized,] and approved by the agency [state-approved]. The
  commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary for the administration
  of this subsection, including rules for using the assessment
  instruments adopted and administered under this subsection for
  purposes of this code in place of the assessment instruments
  otherwise required under this subchapter.
         (b)  In addition to assessment instruments adopted and
  administered under Subsection (a), a school district board of
  trustees may adopt and provide for administration of
  criterion-referenced or norm-referenced assessment instruments at
  any grade level. An assessment instrument adopted under this
  subsection must be economical and approved by the agency.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         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, 2013.