BILL REQ. #:  S-4001.1 

Read first time 01/13/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to local control of student assessments in grades three, five, six, and eight to meet federal requirements for Washington's academic assessment system; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall revise the Washington state accountability plan required under section 1111 of P.L. 107-110, the no child left behind act of 2001, to incorporate the following changes to the state academic assessment system:
     (a) Assessments administered in grades three, five, six, and eight shall assess students learning in reading, mathematics, and science as required by P.L. 107-110 without relying on subjective, open-ended extended responses to test questions; and
     (b) The assessment system shall incorporate a combination of statewide and locally selected assessments, as permitted by P.L. 107-110, to provide options other than the Washington assessment of student learning for school district boards of directors to use in grades three, five, six, and eight.
     (2) The superintendent shall develop the revised plan using an open and participatory process that involves local school directors, district and school administrators, teachers, principals, other school staff, and parents.
     (3) Under the revised plan, the superintendent shall submit options for locally selected assessments to the state board of education. The state board of education shall approve at least three assessment options that the superintendent shall make available to school districts. School district boards of directors may use an approved locally selected assessment in grades three, five, six, and eight, but must use the same assessment for each cohort of students as the students progress through grades three, five, six, and eight to ensure comparability of scores and measurement of learning gains.
     (4) The superintendent shall submit the proposed revised plan to the education committees of the legislature for review no later than the 2007 legislative session. After the legislature formally approves the plan through legislation or concurrent resolution, the superintendent shall submit the revised plan to the appropriate federal authorities in time to ensure locally selected assessments for use during the 2007-08 school year.