HB 1068.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Finds that the mandatory norm-referenced student assessments eliminated under this act 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.

Authorizes school districts to, at their own expense, administer norm-referenced assessments to students.

Provides that, by September 1, 2005, subject to available funds, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall post on its web site for voluntary use by school districts, a guide of diagnostic assessments.

Provides that, 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: (1) Aligned to the state's grade level expectations;

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

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

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

(5) Cost-effective.

Encourages the office of the superintendent of public instruction to offer at their statewide and regional staff development activities training opportunities that would assist practitioners in: (1) The interpretation of diagnostic assessments; and

(2) Application of instructional strategies that will increase student learning based on diagnostic assessment data.

Repeals RCW 28A.230.190, 28A.230.193, 28A.230.230, and 28A.230.260.