Massive bill attempts education reform

Austin (KXAN) - Legislation meant to overhaul the school accountability system in Texas was filed on Thursday, a massive 119-document dedicated to changing a system lawmakers say is in distress.

Some of the highlights of SB 3, filed by Senate Education Chairwoman Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, include reforming the TAKS test. The TAKS test would not be taken away, but it would be changed so that it is not the only determinant of a child’s ability to move up in school, a Shapiro spokeswoman said.

Students would be judged based on a variety of achievements and needed improvements.

The bill also lays out two tracks for a student to graduate. One track would be the normal 4-year plan and another track would allow for a student to graduate with minimum requirements.

"The goal is to make them ready for post-secondary life, whatever that may be," said Jennifer Ransom Rice, Shapiro's press secretary.

According to the TEA, more than 55,000 high school students dropped out before graduation for the 2006-2007 school years. Shapiro has said this bill would give students more choices, more electives and more incentives to stay in school.

The bill would also change the accountability system for schools. It does not take away the state’s right to close down schools, which is what some educations had hoped for, but it does change the way schools are assessed.

"There would be a distinction system for individual campuses," said Ransom. "Instead of entire school district being assessed as one."