Accelerated Instruction (HB 4545)

On June 16, 2021, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 4545 during the 87th Legislative Session. This law required school districts to provide additional accelerated instruction for students who did not take or  “did not meet grade level” on the STAAR or STAAR end-of-course assessment in Spring 2021. 

Learn more about House Bill 4545 and Accelerated Learning HERE

 

What is Accelerated Instruction?

Accelerated instruction is supplemental learning supports that are provided in addition to the regular curriculum in a small group setting. 

Who Receives Accelerated Instruction? 

All students (including but not limited to special education, 504, and English language learners) in grades 3-8 who did not pass STAAR or end-of-course (EOC) assessments are required to have accelerated instruction. Students that did not test are also required to receive accelerated instruction.

How much Accelerated Instruction is Required?

For each subject in which a student did not demonstrate academic readiness, they are required by state law to complete 30 hours of accelerated instruction over the course of the school year. Example: If a student failed both reading and math, they would have to complete 30 hours in reading and 30 hours in math totaling 60 hours of accelerated instruction. 

How many students are grouped together for accelerated instruction?

Based on the requirements outlined in HB 4545, students receive accelerated instruction in a group of no more than 3 students to 1 instructor unless a parent waives this requirement. In Duncanville ISD, we ask that parents waive this requirement so that we can place students in groups of no more than 10 students to 1 instructor.

Please submit your Parent Waiver HERE.

When will Accelerated Instruction take place? 

Accelerated instruction may be provided before, during, or after school or on weekends/breaks depending on the campus schedules and student attendance. 

How will I know if my student is impacted?

Schools will send communication to parents in the coming weeks through email if your child is required to participate in accelerated instruction. If your student was in grades 3, 5, or 8 last year, you will be invited to an Accelerated Learning Committee meeting to discuss an instructional plan for your child. 

Also, students in grades 4, 6, or 9 that have failed to meet minimum passing standards for 2 years consecutively will also be invited to an Accelerated Learning Committee meeting to discuss an instructional plan for your child.

What is an Accelerated Learning Committee?

An Accelerated Learning Committee includes the parent, teacher, principal or designee working in partnership to develop an instructional plan and monitor progress for any student who scores in the “Did Not Meet” category on a STAAR assessment or did not take the STAAR or EOC assessment in grade 3, 5, or 8 in math or reading. This will also be for students in grades 4, 6, or 9 that have failed to meet minimum passing standards for 2 years consecutively.

How can I view my child’s STAAR Results? 

You can find your child’s STAAR results through Skyward Family Access or at texasassessment.gov