The Committee Substitute for SB 8 has been published on the House Public Education Committee webpage. Also on the page is Chair Brad Buckley’s proposal CSSB 8 summary for the bill:
Assessment
STAAR Test is eliminated along with all high-stakes testing. Replaced with the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA-used by Texas colleges to determine placement in credit bearing courses), that would align with the federal requirements. STAAR Test and successor would be completely eliminated no later than 2027-2028, subject to federal approval of new assessment.
No requirement to pass an assessment in order to graduate high school, must pass their classes only. Students who did not receive a high school diploma prior to 2023-2024 because they did not pass a test would be able to request their high school diploma. Repeals individual graduation committees.
Grades 3-8 Testing:
- Replaces the one time per year high stakes assessment with through-year testing (3 test touch points per year/shorter adaptive assessments to gauge student growth). Through-year testing is included in HB 4402 by K. Bell (128-17).
- Eliminates benchmark assessments once through-year assessment is implemented.
- Eliminates non-federally required social studies assessment.
Grades 9-12 Testing:
- Replaces end-of-course assessments with a pre-TSIA in grade 9 and TSIA in grade 11.
- Biology tests remain to satisfy federal requirements. US History is retained
Accountability
- Clarifies that CCMR cut scores are adjusted every four years and “what/if” models are provided to districts to prepare for adjustments.
Education Savings Account Program
Start of ESA Program:
- 2024-2025 school year
- Each eligible SPED student would receive an amount to not be greater than average WADA of the student’s home district+ $1500
Eligibility:
Prior Public
- SPED -702,785 eligible students
- Attends an F performing campus: 89,540 eligible students. Total campuses: 187 Campuses
*Siblings of students that are enrolled in the program are eligible
Prioritization:
- Public -Special Education Students
- F Campus Students
- Private -Special Education Students
State Funding:
- Appropriated funds sent to Comptroller to administer.
Funding amounts & Estimated Cost:
- Allocate $200m to first year of FY 24-25 biennium with UB authority for second year. Beginning FY26-27, $200m/year.
Accountability:
- Students that receive this funding are required to take the STAAR (and its successor) that would be administered to a peer in a traditional public school.
- TEA shall submit a report to the Legislature, annually, the results of the STAAR (and its successor) test, and compare those results to those of public school students.
- Create Commission to determine future of efficacy of ESA program.
- ESCs shall host students to take the STAAR (and its successor).
- If a student decides to de-enroll from a program the balance of the funding for that year reverts to the public school at which they attend.
