FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 325

                                  C 398 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ebersole, Betrozoff and Walk)

Providing for curriculum based assessment for bilingual education programs and programs for those with learning disabilities.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

To participate in special programs for the learning disabled, a student must undergo a complete assessment by a school psychologist.  The assessment includes use of standardized intelligence tests, achievement measure and other information.  In many cases, however, a teacher becomes aware that a student may have learning disabilities because the student has problems with the basic curriculum.  It has been suggested that curriculum-based assessment of students, as a part of the evaluation for participation in a learning disabilities program, may reduce assessment costs and improve planning of programs for these students.

SUMMARY:

By July 1, 1989, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to complete a study of curriculum-based assessment and, where appropriate, adopt rules for the use of curriculum-based assessment.  Use of curriculum-based assessment procedures is optional for school districts.  Curriculum-based assessment procedures may not be used to deny a student the right to an assessment to determine eligibility for participating in a learning disabilities program.  Curriculum-based assessment may be used as an early intervention procedure and as an academic measure for supplementing evidence of a student's eligibility for participation in the learning disability program.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 96   0

      Senate    46     0(Senate amended)

      House 97   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987