Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 1412
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Regarding mathematics end-of-course assessments.
Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Dammeier, Probst, Liias, Kelley, Kenney and Van De Wege; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/1/11
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
In 2008 the Legislature directed the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to replace the comprehensive state high school mathematics assessment with a series of end-of-course assessments (EOCs) beginning in the 2009-10 school year. The law currently states that the EOCs are to be developed to cover standards for first-year mathematics (Algebra I and Integrated I) and also second-year mathematics (Geometry and Integrated II). For purposes of high school graduation, students in the graduating class of 2013 and 2014 are permitted to use the results of the EOC for the first year of mathematics plus the EOC for the second year of mathematics, or the results from a comprehensive mathematics assessment. Starting with the class of 2015, only the EOCs will be used as the state high school mathematics assessment. Students must meet the state standard on both mathematics EOCs to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement, which is required for graduation starting with the class of 2013.
The comprehensive mathematics assessment was offered to students in the 10th grade. The EOCs are designed to be offered to students after they take the respective mathematics course. The SPI estimates that approximately 60,000 10th grade students in the class of 2013 took Algebra I or Integrated I as freshmen and are now enrolled in Geometry or Integrated II. Some took the first year of high school mathematics in 8th grade. This class will be expected to take two mathematics EOCs in the spring of 2010 in order to meet graduation requirements. A comprehensive high school mathematics assessment is no longer being offered.
Summary of Bill:
Students in the graduating classes of 2013 and 2014 must meet the state standard on one end-of-course (EOC) high school mathematics assessment rather than two in order to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA), which is required for graduation. The option for these students to use results from a comprehensive mathematics assessment is replaced by an option to use results from a retake assessment. It is clarified that students, beginning with the class of 2015, have the option to meet the state standard on both EOC high school mathematics assessments or use results from one or more retake assessments to earn a CAA.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.