Update on Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and
Accountability and Community Conversations

July 22, 2016

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT

SUMMARY: The board will receive an update on the work of the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. It will also receive an update on Community Conversation meetings, which were hosted by State Board of Education members. The board will be asked to approve a report summarizing the findings of the Community Conversations and a related survey.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(29).

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: Board Chair Donna Bahorich invited educators, parents and business leaders to Community Conversation meetings held around the state to discuss student assessment and accountability issues. The chair was joined by other board members who represented the area in which each meeting was held. A survey was also used to gather public input on the two topics.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2804 in the spring of 2015. The bill revises the state accountability rating system and it established the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability.

The legislation directed a 15-member commission, which includes one State Board of Education member, to develop and make recommendations for new systems of student assessment and public school accountability. The recommendations are to address the purpose of a state accountability system and the role of student assessment; opportunities to assess students that provide actionable information; support learning activities; recognize the application of skills and knowledge; measure student educational growth towards mastery; and value critical thinking.

Commission recommendations will also address alignment of state performance standards with college and career readiness; policy changes to enable student progress; policy changes necessary to meet state goals, as well as policy changes that are community based, promote parent and community involvement, and reflect unique community needs.

The commission began meeting in January 2016 and plans to finalize its recommendations to the Legislature during its July 27 meeting.

To provide input to the commission as it prepares its final recommendations, a report of the findings from the Community Conversations and related survey has been prepared. The board will be asked to approve the report.

FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact is unknown at this time. Any recommendations adopted by the Texas Legislature may have a future fiscal impact.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: A student assessment program and school accountability system, developed with citizen input, will benefit the public and students by demonstrating the effectiveness of the public education system.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: There is an extensive public reporting system tied to the state’s assessment and accountability systems.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Hundreds of public comments were received during the Community Conversations.

MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:

Adopt the summary report detailing the findings of the Community Conversations.

Staff Members Responsible:
Gene Acuna, Director
Division of Communications and SBOE Support

Debbie Ratcliffe, Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications and SBOE Support

Separate Exhibit:
Texans Speak: Public Feedback on Assessment and Accountability Systems