Bill
HB 515
85(R) - 2017
House Public Education
Senate Education
House Public Education
Senate Education
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Positive
Author(s)
Gary VanDeaver
Co-Author(s)
Diego Bernal
DeWayne Burns
Will Metcalf
Sponsor(s)
Larry Taylor
Bill Caption
Relating to assessment of public school students and providing
accelerated instruction and eliminating performance requirements
based on performance on certain assessment instruments.
Fiscal Notes
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 515, Committee
Report 2nd House, Substituted: a positive impact of $6,818,570 through the biennium ending
August 31, 2019.
Bill Analysis
HB 515 would require Social Studies curriculum to ensure that public high school students have a sufficient understanding in United States history, civics, and the free enterprise system.
This bill would eliminate the exit-level TAKS assessment and instead require satisfactory scores on the ACT, SAT, or the Texas Success Initiative benchmark in order for a student to receive their high school diploma. Those students that have passed assessment instruments for English II and Algebra II before the passing of this bill are exempt from these requirements.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill would reform public school testing for the better and require improved instruction of core curriculum in social studies courses. The bill offers less classroom intrusive assessments while also evaluating what a student has learned in public schools and maintaining high standards. This promotes limited government and individual liberty. We support this bill.
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