SENATE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON QUIRMBACH)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the demonstration of proficiency by students receiving competent private instruction for purposes of senior year plus program eligibility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 261E.3, subsection 1, paragraph e, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   e.  The student shall have demonstrated proficiency in reading, mathematics, and science as evidenced by achievement scores on the latest administration of the state assessment for which scores are available and as defined by the department.  However, a student receiving competent private instruction under chapter 299A may demonstrate proficiency as evidenced by a selection index, which is the sum of the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills assessments, of one hundred forty-one on the preliminary scholastic aptitude test administered by the college board; a composite score of at least twenty-one on the college readiness assessment administered by ACT, inc.; or a sum of the critical reading and mathematics scores of at least nine hundred ninety on the college readiness assessment administered by the college board. If a student is not proficient in one or more of the content areas listed in this paragraph, has not taken the college readiness assessments identified in this paragraph, or has not achieved the scores specified in this paragraph, the school board may establish alternative but equivalent qualifying performance measures including but not limited to additional administrations of the state assessment, portfolios of student work, student performance rubric, or end-of-course assessments.
EXPLANATION
   This bill provides that a student who is receiving competent private instruction may demonstrate the proficiency required to ensure student readiness for postsecondary coursework under the senior year plus program eligibility requirements by providing evidence that the student achieved a composite ACT score of at least 21, a sum of the SAT critical reading and mathematics scores of at least 990, or a PSAT selection index of 141.
   The bill also provides that if a student has not taken the ACT, PSAT, or SAT, or has not achieved the required minimum scores, the school board may establish alternative but equivalent qualifying performance measures, including but not limited to additional administrations of the state assessment, portfolios of student work, student performance rubric, or end-of-course assessments.