H.B.�No.�3259
AN ACT
relating to the administration of international assessment
instruments to certain public school students.
�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�������SECTION�1.��Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.037 to read as follows:
�������Sec.39.037.INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In this section, "program" means the international assessment
instrument program.
�������(b)The commissioner shall establish a program under which
a participating school district administers international
assessment instruments to students in the district.
�������(c)A school district may apply to the commissioner to
participate in the program. The commissioner shall select for
participation school districts from both rural and urban areas of
the state. If necessary, the commissioner may require a school
district to participate in the program.
�������(d)A participating school district shall administer
international assessment instruments as required by the
commissioner.
�������(e)��In administering the program, the commissioner shall:
�������������(1)compare the performance on the international
assessment instruments of students in this state with students of
the same grade level in other countries;
�������������(2)compare the international assessment instruments
with state assessment instruments and state educational goals; and
�������������(3)provide professional development for educators in
the interpretation and use of results of the international
assessment instruments.
�������(f)Each biennium the commissioner may use funds
appropriated for the Foundation School Program to provide funding
for the program in an amount not to exceed $2 million.
�������(g)Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the
commissioner shall prepare and deliver a report describing the
results of student performance on the international assessment
instruments to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives, each member of the legislature,
and each school district.
�������(h)The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to
administer this section.
�������SECTION�2.��This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008
school year.
�������SECTION�3.��This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.��If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
______________________________ ______________________________
���President of the Senate Speaker of the House�����
�������I certify that H.B. No. 3259 was passed by the House on May 7,
2007, by the following vote:��Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House���
�������I certify that H.B. No. 3259 was passed by the Senate on May
18, 2007, by the following vote:��Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate����
APPROVED:��_____________________
�������������������Date����������
����������_____________________
�����������������Governor�������