S.F. _____ Section 1. Section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph b, 1 subparagraphs (2) and (3), Code 2017, are amended by striking 2 the subparagraphs. 3 EXPLANATION 4 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 5 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 6 Current law requires that the state board of education 7 provide in rule for a set of core academic indicators in 8 mathematics and reading in grades 4, 8, and 11, and for science 9 in grades 8 and 11, and that the Iowa assessments, used by 10 school districts in the school year beginning July 1, 2011, be 11 used for this purpose. 12 This bill strikes a requirement that the state board’s rules 13 provide that for the school year beginning July 1, 2017, and 14 each succeeding school year, all students enrolled in school 15 districts in grades 3 through 11 shall be administered an 16 assessment during the last quarter of the school year that 17 assesses student progress on the core academic indicators. The 18 requirement also provides that the assessment used after July 19 1, 2017, at a minimum must be aligned with the Iowa common 20 core standards in both content and rigor; accurately describe 21 student achievement and growth for purposes of the school, the 22 school district, and state accountability systems; and provide 23 valid, reliable, and fair measures of student progress toward 24 college or career readiness. 25 The bill also strikes a Code provision that requires the 26 director of the department of education to establish an 27 assessment task force to review and make recommendations 28 for a statewide assessment of student progress on the core 29 academic indicators. The Iowa assessment task force submitted 30 its findings and recommendations in a report to the general 31 assembly on December 31, 2014. 32 -1- LSB 1479XC (9) 87 kh/rj 1/ 1