SF 240 (LSB 1479SV (3) 87)

SENATE FILE 240

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1001)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to statewide assessments of student progress utilizing core academic indicators, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph b, subparagraphs (2) and (3), Code 2017, are amended by striking the subparagraphs.
    Sec. 2.  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION —— STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.
   1.  The department of education shall issue a request for proposals for the selection of a statewide assessment of student progress to be administered in the school year beginning July 1, 2018, and each succeeding school year. The assessment shall measure individual student growth and be aligned to the Iowa core academic standards for grades three through eight and at least one high school grade. The assessment shall be capable of measuring student performance in English language arts, including reading and writing; mathematics; and science. The assessment shall be available in both paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats. Proposals incapable of assessing performance in English language arts, including reading and writing, mathematics, and science shall not be considered. Potential vendors or providers may collaborate to meet the requirements of this subsection.
   2.  In evaluating the proposals, the department shall only consider the feasibility of implementation by school districts; the costs to school districts and the state in providing and administering the statewide assessment and the technical support necessary to administer the statewide assessment; the costs of acquiring the infrastructure necessary for implementing technology readiness in all of Iowa’s school districts, including technology required for accommodations; the degree to which the submission is aligned with the Iowa core academic standards; the ability of the assessment to measure student growth and student proficiency; the ability of the assessment to meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, Pub. L. No. 114-95; and the instructional time required to conduct the statewide assessment.
   3.  The department of education shall issue the request for proposals by April 30, 2017, and shall select the assessment that best meets the criteria established under this section in time for the assessment to be administered as provided in this section. The department shall adopt rules establishing that students enrolled in school districts in grades three through eight and at least one high school grade shall be administered, during the last quarter of each school year, the assessment selected by the department in accordance with this section. An accredited nonpublic school may administer the assessment to students enrolled in the accredited nonpublic school.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  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.
   Current law requires that the state board of education provide in rule for a set of core academic indicators in mathematics and reading in grades 4, 8, and 11, and for science in grades 8 and 11, and that the Iowa assessments, used by school districts in the school year beginning July 1, 2011, be used for this purpose. 
   This bill strikes a requirement that the state board’s rules provide that for the school year beginning July 1, 2017, all students enrolled in school districts in grades 3 through 11 shall be administered an assessment during the last quarter of the school year that assesses student progress on the core academic indicators. The requirement also provides that the assessment used after July 1, 2017, at a minimum must be aligned with the Iowa common core standards in both content and rigor; accurately describe student achievement and growth for purposes of the school, the school district, and state accountability systems; and provide valid, reliable, and fair measures of student progress toward college or career readiness. 
   The bill requires the department of education to issue a request for proposals for the selection of a statewide assessment of student progress to be administered in the spring of 2019, and annually thereafter. The assessment shall measure individual student growth and be aligned to the Iowa core academic standards for grades three through eight and at least one high school grade, and be capable of measuring student performance in English language arts, including reading and writing; mathematics; and science. Assessments incapable of assessing all of those subjects shall not be considered. The assessment shall be available in both paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats. Potential vendors or providers may collaborate to meet the requirements.
   In evaluating the proposals, the department shall consider the feasibility of implementation by school districts; the costs to school districts and the state; the assessment’s alignment with the Iowa core academic standards; the ability of the assessment to measure student growth and proficiency; the ability of the assessment to meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act; and the instructional time required.
   The department of education must issue the request for proposals by April 30, 2017, and adopt rules for the administration of the assessment selected by the department. An accredited nonpublic school may administer the assessment to its students. 
   The bill also strikes a Code provision that provides for an assessment task force. The Iowa assessment task force submitted its findings and recommendations in a report to the general assembly on December 31, 2014.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.