Relating to authorizing the use of a writing portfolio assessment to assess writing performance for public school students.

HB 1249 allows Texas public school districts to use writing portfolio assessments instead of multiple-choice writing portions in certain state-mandated tests. School districts must design these portfolios with input from higher education institutions and get state approval, ensuring they measure students' writing mastery through timed samples, skill improvement over time, writing process understanding, and diverse writing styles. Districts may have classroom teachers score portfolios and are exempt from administering the non-multiple-choice writing sections of existing assessments during implementation. The bill takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.