HF 491 (LSB 2555YH (4) 88)

HOUSE FILE 491

BY  KONFRST

A BILL FOR

An Act  relating to assessments administered by school districts to evaluate and reevaluate students for reading proficiency and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.7, subsection 31, paragraph a, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Adopt by rule guidelines for school district implementation of section 279.68, including but not limited to basic levels of reading proficiency on approved locally determined or statewide assessments and identification of tools that school districts may use in evaluating and reevaluating any student who may not be or who is determined not to be reading proficiently and is persistently at risk in reading, including but not limited to initial assessments and subsequent assessments, alternative assessments, and portfolio reviews.  Effective July 1, 2020, assessments used in accordance with this subsection shall include progress-monitoring tools to assist students and monitor and measure phonological awareness, word identification, and spelling skills. The state board shall adopt standards that provide a reasonable expectation that a student’s progress toward reading proficiency under section 279.68 is sufficient to master appropriate grade four level reading skills prior to the student’s promotion to grade four.
    Sec. 2.  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION —— STATEWIDE READING ASSESSMENT BIDDING REQUIREMENT.  The department of education shall reissue a bid for delivery of a statewide assessment that meets the requirements of section 256.7, subsection 31, paragraph “a”, which shall be available to be administered in the school year beginning July 1, 2020. 
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides that, effective July 1, 2020, locally determined and statewide reading assessments administered to evaluate students for reading proficiency shall include progress-monitoring tools to assist students and monitor and measure phonological awareness, word identification, and spelling skills. The bill directs the department of education to reissue the bid for a statewide reading assessment that includes the tools required effective July 1, 2020. 
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.