1068 AMH .... MORS 022

HB 1068 - H AMD

By Representative ____________

    On page 1, after line 13, insert the following new section:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:

   (1) The legislature finds that the mandatory norm-referenced student assessments eliminated under this legislation provide information that teachers and parents use to improve student learning. The legislature intends to permit school districts to offer norm-referenced assessments at the districts' own expense and make diagnostic tools available that provide information that is at least as valuable as the information eliminated under this act.

   (2) School districts may, at their own expense, administer norm-referenced assessments to students.

   (3) By September 1, 2005, subject to available funds, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall post on its website for voluntary use by school districts, a guide of diagnostic assessments. The assessments in the guide, to the extent possible, shall include the characteristics listed in subsection (4) (a) through (e) of this section.

   (4) By September 1, 2006, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make available to school districts diagnostic assessments that help improve student learning. To the greatest extent possible, the assessments shall be:

   (a) Aligned to the state's grade level expectations;

   (b) Individualized to each student's performance level;

   (c) Administered efficiently to provide results either immediately or within two weeks;

   (d) Capable of measuring individual student growth over time; and

   (e) Cost-effective."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references and the title accordingly.

EFFECT: Permits school districts to offer norm-referenced assessments at the districts' own expense. Subject to available funds, requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to post on its website a guide of diagnostic assessments for voluntary use by school districts, by September 1, 2005. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, requires the agency to make diagnostic assessments available to school districts by September 1, 2006.