1068 AMH COX MORS 025

HB 1068 - H AMD

By Representative Cox

    Beginning on page 1, line 14, strike all of section 2 and insert the following:

   "Sec. 2. RCW 28A.230.190 and 1999 c 373 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:

   (1) School districts shall assess students for second grade reading accuracy and fluency skills starting in the 1998-99 school year as provided in RCW 28A.300.320.

   (2) The superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and conduct, with the assistance of school districts, a norm-referenced standardized achievement test ((to)) that, at the option of school districts, may be given annually to all pupils in grade three at state expense. The test shall assess students' basic skills in reading and mathematics. Results of such tests and relevant student, school, and district characteristics shall be compiled annually by the superintendent of public instruction, who shall make those results available annually to the public, to the legislature, to all local school districts, and subsequently to parents of those children tested. The results shall allow parents to ascertain the achievement levels of their children as compared with the other students within the district, the state, and the nation.

   Sec. 3. RCW 28A.230.193 and 1999 c 373 s 301 are each amended to read as follows:

   The superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and conduct, with the assistance of school districts, a norm-referenced standardized achievement test ((to)) that, at the option of school districts, may be given annually to all pupils in grade six at state expense. The test shall assess students' basic skills in reading/language arts and mathematics. Results of such tests and relevant student, school, and district characteristics shall be compiled by the superintendent of public instruction, who shall make those results available annually to the public, to the legislature, to all local school districts, and subsequently to parents of those children tested. The results shall allow parents to ascertain the achievement levels of their children as compared with the other students within the district, the state, and the nation.

   Sec. 4. RCW 28A.230.230 and 1999 c 373 s 401 are each amended to read as follows:

   (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and conduct, with the assistance of school districts, an annual norm-referenced standardized achievement assessment ((of all)) that, at the option of school districts, may be given to students in the ninth grade at state expense. The purposes of the assessment are to assist students, parents, and teachers in the planning and selection of appropriate high school courses for students and to provide information about students' current academic proficiencies both in the basic skills of reading/language arts and mathematics, and in the reasoning and thinking skills essential for successful entry into those courses required for high school graduation. The assessment shall also include the collection of information about students' interests and plans for high school and beyond and shall include the collection of other related student and school information. The superintendent of public instruction shall make the results of the assessment and relevant student, school, and district characteristics available annually to the public, to the legislature, and to all school districts, which shall in turn make them available to students, parents, and teachers in a timely fashion.

   (2) Upon request, the superintendent of public instruction shall make available to requesting school districts the inventory used to collect information about students' interests and plans for high school and beyond for use by students in the eighth grade. To the extent funds are appropriated, the superintendent shall provide the inventory, tabulation services, and reporting at no cost or at reduced cost to school districts."

   Correct the title.

EFFECT: School districts may continue to administer norm-referenced assessments to third, sixth, and ninth grade students at state expense.