Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of a commission to recommend a new system for student assessment and public school accountability.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact.

Bill Analysis

SB 1200 would establish the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. The commission would be composed of 15 members, appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and relevant legislature committee chairs. The commission would also be attended by representatives such as public school educators and members of the civic community and business community. The commission would be required to provide a report on a state accountability system and the role of student assessment in that system to the legislature no later than September 1, 2016.

Vote Recommendation Notes

First chamber recommendation:

There has been an ongoing struggle in our state to find the right balance between standardized testing, teacher accountability, and student achievement. This has been a major issue in public education in Texas. This merits an in-depth study to come up with the right long term policy, however, since the bill makes no policy recommendations and only establishes a commission there is no liberty principle at work here and we remain neutral on HB 1200.