By Lauren Callahan
Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 5:37 pm
Updated: Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 5:48 pm
Video: Rep. Schaefer on HB 5
TYLER, TX (KLTV) – The Texas House of Representatives took up debate on a bill Tuesday that would enact major changes to graduation requirements, student assessments and school accountability laws.
House Bill 5 was filed in February by new House Public Education Committee Chairman Representative Jimmie Don Aycock as a jumping off point for discussions.
On the phone today, Tyler Representative Matt Schaefer said he’ll be voting for House Bill 5 because of the flexibility it would give parents and students.
“It allows students to tailor their own plan. The whole economy is focused on customization, but we’re still stuck in standardization for our students,” Schaefer said.
House Bill 5 would change a high school student’s core course options. Currently, students on the statewide recommended or distinguished achievement graduation plans must complete credits in four English Language Arts, four math, four science and four social studies classes, in addition to foreign language, fine arts, and P.E. courses.
If House Bill 5 passes, they would be required to take four English Language Arts, three math, three social studies and three science classes in addition to two foreign language, one fine arts, and one P.E. credits.
Students would have the opportunity to finish their degree by earning what the legislature calls “endorsements” in areas like science and technology, business and industry, arts and humanities, public services and multi-disciplinary studies.
“I don’t think that this takes any rigor away from coursework. In fact, I think it’s going to improve learning in our schools,” said Schaefer.
“When you expand options for students and give them more flexibility to follow their known interests, I think kids are going to want to learn more.”
If House Bill 5 passes, standardized testing would also change for high school students. They’d only be required to take five end of course exams, in English Language Arts II (reading and writing), Algebra 1, biology and U.S. History. The requirement that end-of-course assessments determine 15 percent of a student’s course grade would also be eliminated.
Read here for more of the article on HB 5.
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