Required K-3 Instruments
Commissioner must adopt and update a list of multiple approved K-3 reading and math diagnostic tools and update the list every four years
Instruments must:
• Align with TEKS and scientific research
• Measure foundational literacy / numeracy
• Be administered BOY, MOY, and EOY( varies by grade)
• Identify students at risk of not achieving satisfactory performance on the third grade reading or math assessment
• Include applicable elements to serve as dyslexia screeners for K-1
• Generate clear parent reports on progress
Requires the commissioner to develop a process for districts to submit an 1 instrument for approval and make criteria and evaluation criteria publicly available
Allows the commissioner to substitute a state adopted interim assessment for an instrument adopted if it provides the same intended outcomes
Allows the commissioner to substitute a state adopted interim assessment for an instrument adopted under this section if it provides the same intended outcomes
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Administration & Reporting
Requires districts to:
• Train staff on the instruments
• Apply results to instruction
• Report student progress to TEA, parents, and the board of trustees at a public meeting within 20 school days or the 30th calendar day, whichever is earlier
• Include the student ' s results, a report on progress from previous administrations, and whether a student may be at risk for dyslexia in the the report to parents
Parents may opt out in writing; districts cannot encourage opt-outs
Districts may use board-approved instruments until the commissioner list is adopted
Administration Schedule
• Kindergarten: Administer at midyear and end-of-year
• 1st & 2nd Grade: Administer at beginning, middle, and end of year
• 3rd Grade: Administer at beginning and middle of year
Comparability & Flexibility
Commissioner must ensure compatibility with
• Kindergarten reading diagnosis instrument
• State adopted third grade assessment administered at the end of the year
PRE KINDERGARTEN
EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26
Eligibility
Expands eligibility to children of district classroom teachers if their district offers pre-kindergarten
Expansion Limits
Before building or repurposing facilities for new pre-k classes, districts must get an official determination from a prekindergarten partnership intermediary confirming that the private providers they considered are unable to serve the intended students.
Pre-K Partnership Intermediaries:
• Must be designated by the commissioner( minimum of four)
• Facilitate partnerships with private providers and establish guidance
Funding & Partnerships
• Private providers partnering with districts must: o Comply with municipal standards for private pre-k( not district standards) o Receive at least 85 % of the district ' s funding per student( unless waived by the commissioner)
• Districts may offer tuition-based pre-k only if no private options are available per intermediary review
( Effective beginning in SY 2027-28)
Pre-Kindergarten Certifications
Pre-K teachers employed districts or a private partner must be certified and, when appropriate, be certified or supervised by someone certified to teach emergent bilingual students