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HB 3470

Relating to the administration of assessment instruments in public schools, eliminating the requirement to use public school assessment instruments as a criterion for promotion or graduation, and the temporary suspension of certain accountability determinations for a school district or campus in a school year in which the operations of the district or campus are disrupted as a result of a declared disaster.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Will Metcalf

Texas bill removes standardized test requirements for student promotion/graduation and suspends accountability measures for disaster-disrupted schools.

Referred to Public Education
#disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #educationagency #texas(v9941) #education #commissionerof(v9954) #stateboardof(v0086) #education--primary&secondary--accountability(i0007) #education--primary&secondary--testing(i0229) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #highereducationcoordinatingboard #texas(v4280)
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Bill Summary · HB 3470

Legislative bill overview

HB 3470 removes the requirement that public schools use standardized assessment instruments (like state tests) as a criterion for student promotion or graduation decisions. The bill also allows schools and districts experiencing disruptions from declared disasters to temporarily suspend certain state accountability measures and determinations during the affected school year.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects how students advance through school and how schools are evaluated by the state. It addresses concerns about over-reliance on standardized testing while providing flexibility for schools recovering from natural disasters or emergencies that disrupt normal operations. The changes could significantly alter educational standards and accountability frameworks in Texas public schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Academic standards concern: Eliminating test-based promotion/graduation criteria could lower academic rigor if schools don't establish equally rigorous alternative measures, or conversely, could allow more flexibility in assessing diverse student abilities
  • Accountability measurement: Suspending accountability determinations for disaster-affected schools raises questions about how long suspensions last, what triggers them, and whether this creates inconsistent standards across districts
  • Implementation ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what alternative criteria schools must use for promotion/graduation decisions, potentially creating wide variation in standards across districts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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