Do you have a student in third through eighth grade this year? A Texas law passed in 2021 might affect your family! With distance learning and other struggles related to COVID-19, students have faced a great deal of adversity over the past almost two years, especially those in elementary and middle schools. Meanwhile, early in 2021, the Texas legislature recognized a need for a coordinated effort to keep kids on track. They passed HB 4545, which took effect last summer.
What is HB 4545?
HB 4545 eliminates grade retention and retesting requirements for fifth and eighth-graders and requires local educational agencies to create “accelerated learning committees” designed to serve individual students with academic needs. These committees must create individual education plans for students meeting specific criteria and monitoring their progress.
Who does it affect?
The criteria that trigger academic need rely heavily on the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) tests administered to students in Texas. Learning plans are called for when 3rd, 5th, or 8th graders do not pass STAAR assessments. Additionally, HB 4545 requires that any student, grades 3-8, who does not pass the STAAR tests or end-of-course STAAR assessments must undergo “accelerated instruction requirements.” These requirements include either:
A classroom teacher qualified as a “certified master, exemplary, or recognized teacher” OR
Receiving supplemental instruction before or after school (or within the school day)
The law aims to combat perceived learning deficits. With COVID-19 related issues hampering student progress, the new law could impact many students.
What is “STAAR 30”?
If your child is a 3rd-8th grader that needs supplemental instruction under HB 4545, you may have heard the term “STAAR 30.” "STAAR 30" is a reference to both the assessment name and the number of hours of supplemental instruction that HB 4545 requires for students who receive a “did not meet grade level” score for a subject on the STAAR assessment. The law requires that a student document 30 hours of supplemental learning, and that supplemental learning must meet specific requirements. According to the FAQ issued with HB 4545, these requirements include the following:
includes targeted instruction in the essential knowledge and skills for the applicable grade levels and subject area
is provided in addition to instruction normally provided to students in the grade level in which the student is enrolled
is provided for no less than 30 total hours during the subsequent summer or school year and, unless the instruction is provided fully during summer, include instruction no less than once per week during the school year
is designed to assist the student in achieving satisfactory performance in the applicable grade level and subject area
includes effective instructional materials designed for supplemental instruction
is provided to a student individually or in a group of no more than three students, unless the parent or guardian of each student in the group authorizes a larger group
is provided by a person with training in the applicable instructional materials for the supplemental instruction and under the oversight of the school district; and
to the extent possible, is provided by one person for the entirety of the student’s supplemental instruction period.
At Mathnasium of Friendswood, we are here to help! We understand the stresses involved when your child is struggling with math. Not only are we approved under the law to provide the required supplemental instruction for students affected by HB 4545, but our programs aim to precisely to meet your child where they are. Our expert instructors are equipped, and our proprietary methods are designed with a customized approach for each student we teach. We fill gaps personal for each student and track growth on an individual level. If you need help meeting STAAR 30 requirements for your math student, reach out to us today at (832) 569-5073. Let us help you navigate this process, paperwork, and all!
