From the ECS State Policy Database P-3 Content Standards and Assessment

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary NY Signed into law 08/2012 P-12 Directs the department of education, the office of children and family services and the department of health, each to identify and review existing standards, guidelines and criteria for education, development or learning in programs under its jurisdiction for children age 0-5, including day care centers. Directs the office of children and family services and the department of health to submit one report that sets out each department or agency's review of its standards, guidelines and criteria; the standards, guidelines and criteria that are aligned and that are not aligned among all birth-5 programs under the jurisdictions of the 3 departments/agencies; and recommendations regarding the alignment of standards, guidelines and criteria for education or learning among programs under the jurisdiction of the 3 entities. Requires that the report be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders by June 30, 2013. http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A7591C-2011 Title: A.B. 7591 Source: open.nysenate.gov TN Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Requires standardized testing of K-2 students in low-performing schools to determine how to best target student learning needs and assess whether any learning disparities exist. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3155.pdf Title: S.B. 3155 Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov CT Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 (Sec. 5) Requires the Department of Education, by January 1, 2012, to develop and approve reading assessments that districts must use to identify kindergarten through third grade who are below proficiency in reading. Assessments must: 1) Include frequent student screening and progress monitoring; 2) measure phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; 3) allow for periodic formative assessment during the school year; 4) produce data that is useful for developing individual and classroom instruction; and 5) be compatible with best practices in reading instruction and research. By February 1, 2013, the commissioner must submit the reading assessment to the Education Committee. (Sec. 6) Requires all certified employees (i. e. teachers and administrators), beginning July 1, 2014, and each following school year, working in kindergarten through third grade to take a practice version of an SBE-approved reading instruction exam. Each local and regional board of education must annually report the results to the SDE. (Sec. 7) Requires the education commissioner, by July 1, 2013, to establish a professional development program in reading instruction for teachers. The program must: 1) count towards professional development requirements established under the bill (§ 38), 2) be based on student reading assessment data, 3) provide differentiated and intensified training in teacher reading instruction, 4) be used to identify mentor teachers who will train teachers in reading instruction, 5) outline how model classrooms will be established in schools for reading instruction, and 6) inform principals on how to evaluate classrooms and teacher performance in scientifically-based reading research and instruction, and 7) be job-embedded and local whenever possible. Also, requires the education commissioner to annually review the professional development for teachers holding professional certificates with early childhood nursery through third grade or elementary school endorsements and holding jobs requiring such endorsements. The commissioner must assess whether the professional development meets state goals for student academic achievement through implementation of (1) the State Board of Education (SBE)-adopted common core standards, (2) research based interventions, and (3) the federal special education law. (Sec. 4) Extends a pilot study under PA-1185 to promote best practices in early literacy and closing academic achievement gaps through July 1, 2013. (Not Codified) (Sec. 89) Directs the commissioner to create a specified intensive reading instruction program to improve student literacy in grades kindergarten to three, inclusive, and close the achievement gap. Directs the commissioner to select five elementary schools that are either (1) located in an educational reform district, (2) participating in the commissioner's network of schools, or (3) among the lowest 5% of elementary schools SPI for reading and mathematics, to participate in an intensive reading instruction program for the school year beginning July 1, 2012 and permits the commissioner to select up to five such schools to participate in the intensive reading instruction program each year thereafter. A specified intensive reading intervention strategy will be used by each school. Provides that any student of a priority school that is selected for the intensive reading program who is reading below proficiency at the end of the school year must be enrolled in an intensive summer school reading program that includes specified components named in the bill. The components include, among other items, a comprehensive reading intervention and scientifically-based reading research and instruction strategies. (Sec. 91) Requires the SDE by July 1, 2013, to develop a specified coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in grades K-3 that contains research-driven strategies and frameworks to produce effective reading instruction and improvement in student performance. (Sec. 92 & 93) Requires certified teachers with the comprehensive special education or remedial reading and language arts endorsements to pass the reading instruction test approved by SBE on April 1, 2009. (Sec. 94) Requires the education commissioner to establish an incentive program, within available appropriations, for schools that: increase by 10% the number of students who meet reading goals on Connecticut mastery tests and demonstrate the methods and instruction the school used to achieve those results. The incentives can include, at the commissioner's discretion, public recognition, financial rewards, and enhanced autonomy or operational flexibility. (Sec. 94) Requires the SDE, by July 1, 2013 and in consultation with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, to design and approve a preliteracy course for inclusion in the bachelor's degree program with early childhood education concentration offered by a higher education institution accredited by the Board of Governors of Higher Education. The course must be practice-based and specific to preliteracy and language skills instruction for early childhood education teachers. (Sec. 96) Requires the SDE to collaborate with the Governor's Early Care and Education Cabinet to develop an information-sharing system between preschool and school readiness programs and kindergarten about children's proficiency in oral language and preliteracy. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/ACT/PA/2012PA-00116-R00SB-00458-PA.htm Title: S.B. 458 Source: cga.ct.gov DC Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Requires the chancellor to establish academic acheivement goals for three and four-year olds, and readiness goals and evaluations for three and four-year olds and for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. The chancellor also must establish guidelines for academic achievement, develop and implement curricula, and ensure staff and administors are properly trained to carry out the curricula to meet the academic and readiness goals. The chancellor is responsible for tracking and monitoring progress on the goals; developing a plan for students who are not achieving the readiness goals; conducting evaluations of students' readiness; and submitting annual reports to the council and mayor. http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20120405113239.pdf Title: Bill 19-648 Source: http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us LA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Requires the state board of education to create a comprehensive and integrated network through which to manage and oversee all programs funded through state or federal resources that provide early childhood care or educational services.The board will establish a defintion of kindergarten readiness; establish performance targets for children under the age of three and academic standards for kindergarten readiness for three- and four-year olds; create a uniform assessment and accountability system; and coordinate with other relative state agencies with respect to the network's duties. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=792594 Title: S.B. 581 Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us WA Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Requires the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills, beginning in the 2012-2013 school year and to the extent funds are available, to be administered at the beginning of the school year to all students enrolled in state-funded full-day kindergarten programs with the exception of students who have been excused from participation by their parents or guardians. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/2586-S.PL.pdf Title: H.B. 2586 Source: apps.leg.wa.gov LA Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Amends and reenacts existing statute relative to school readiness assessment. Provides relative to school readiness tests, inlcuding the selection, type, and content. Addresses the reporting of the results and implementation. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=760438 Title: H.B. 100 Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us WA Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Requires schools, beginning with the 2011-2012 school year and to the extent that funds are available, to identify the skills, knowledge, and characteristics of kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year. Requires kindergarten teachers to administer the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills. Requires school districts to provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to excuse their children from participation in the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills. Requires the superintendent of public instruction and the department of early learning, before implementing the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills, to assure that a fairness and bias review of the assessmentprocess has been conducted. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202011/5427-S2.SL.pdf Title: S.B. 5427 Source: http://apps.leg.wa.gov ND Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Allows districts to conduct readiness testing and formative assessments of incoming kindergarten students (within the regular school calendar or before the regular school calendar). Requires districts to provide to the parents of each incoming kindergarten student the date and time of the student's testing or assessment. Allows districts to consider up to two of the days set aside for readiness testing and formative assessments to be kindergarten instructional days. However, the attendance of a kindergarten student on those days is limited to the period of time during which the individual student's testing or assessment is scheduled. http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62-2011/documents/11-0363-02000.pdf Title: H.B. 1273 Source: http://www.legis.nd.gov AZ Signed into law 04/2010 P-12 Establishes the Task Force on K-3 Accountability and Assessment within the state department of education and describes the membership. Requires the task force to meet quarterly and elect a new chairperson annually. Members serve at the pleasure of the superintendent of public instruction. Requires the task force to: (1) examine and evaluate the best practices in accountability and assessment measures and measures in academic gains for K-3 schools; (2) conduct trial examinations of K-3 pupils; (3) solicit and accept funding from any lawful public or private source to carry out the task force activities and hold the monies in a separate account on the books of the department of education that is maintained by the superintendent; and (4) submit an annual findings report to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state on or before December 1. Allows school districts and charter schools to voluntarily participate in the measurement of academic goals developed by the task force. Requires the department of education to develop mechanisms to allow a school district or charter school voluntarily participating in the measurement of academic gains developed by the task force to improve its school classification designated pursuant to statute relating to school accountability if the school district or charter school's academic gains meet the criteria developed by the department of education and approved by the state board of education. Requires the state board of education to review and approve the mechanisms developed by the department of education. Requires the department of education to establish procedures to maintain the integrity of its testing process that will be used to measure academic gains developed by the task force, including procedures for testing and scoring validity and reliability. Requires the state board of education to review and approve the testing process developed by the task force. Contains a delayed repeal date from and after June 30, 2016. Chapter 142 http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1119s.pdf Title: S.B. 1119 Source: http://www.azleg.gov HI Became law without governor's signature 07/2009 P-12 Bars schools from moving students between junior kindergarten and kindergarten, except in cases in which the move is warranted and based on appropriate assessments. Beginning with the 2010-11 school year, requires the department to use assessment tools and protocols for determining a student's initial placement and for decision making about a student's movement between tiers and into grade 1. Permits a junior kindergarten student to be promoted directly to grade 1, based on appropriate assessments and other data. Directs the state early learning council to develop a plan to ensure that the needs of junior kindergarteners are addressed, including in the areas of curriculum, quality of teachers and aides, incorporating state preschool content standards for junior kindergarteners and effective transitions between the early learning system and kindergarten. Allows designees of certain members to serve as voting members of the early learning council. Adds a representative from a Head Start provider agency or the representative's designee. Changes "keiki first steps trust fund" to "early learning trust fund." http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/Bills/SB1329_CD1_.HTM Title: S.B. 1329 Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov GA Adopted 09/2007 P-12 Adds language regarding the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs), an English language proficiency test administered annually to all English language learners (ELLs) to determine students' level of English language proficiency level. Adds provision regarding "conditional administration," a test administration in which a more expansive accommodation is utilized to provide access for a small percentage of students with more severe disabilities who would not be able to access the assessment without such assistance. Adds provision regarding Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS), a performance assessment designed to provide teachers with information about the level of instructional support needed by individual students entering kindergarten and first grade. Provides this assessment will replace the Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program-Revised (GKAP-R). Replaces Middle Grades Writing Assessment (IMGWA) with Grade 8 Writing Assessment. Adds science to areas in which a first-year ELL student may participate in the appropriate state board approved language proficiency assessment rather than the standard assessment. Clarifies that only state-approved accommodations may be included in an IEP or Section 504 IAP. Eliminates certain provisions regarding the Georgia Alternate Assessment. Specifies that students with significant cognitive disabilities participating in the GAA must be provided access to the state-adopted curriculum. Clarifies that educators may adjust the learning expectations for this group of unique students provided the instruction is based on and aligned to the grade-level curriculum standards. Provides that instruction may reflect pre-requisite skills but must be sufficiently challenging for the individual student. Directs local school systems to provide individual student score reports for all state-mandated assessments to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in a timely manner. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-3-1-.07.pdf Title: GAC 160-3-1-.07 Source: www.doe.k12.ga.us MS Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Relates to dyslexia screening and remediation pilot programs. Requires state department of education to select a literacy and numeracy screening instrument to be used by districts for K-3 students. Requires all districts to use selected instrument. Districts may not use instrument to determine grade promotion and must report data to the state department annually. Requires the department to annually report on the effectiveness of of the instrument for literacy and numeracy screening purposes. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2007/html/HB/1000-1099/HB1058PS.htm Title: H.B. 1058 Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us AR Rule Adoption 06/2004 P-12 Establishes general guidelines for the operation of early childhood programs funded under the Arkansas Better Chance Program and the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20174%20abc.pdf Title: ADE 174 Source: Arkansas State Web site