Focus On Academic Achievement, Not Testing

Encourage Your Legislators to Focus On Academic Achievement, Not Testing

This week, the House of Representatives and Senate will be voting on two key bills relating to public school accountability, high school graduation, and assessment requirements.

House Bill 5 (HB5)

On Tuesday, March 26, HB 5 will be considered and voted on by the House of Representatives. HB5 decreases the number of state-required standardized tests and refocuses assessment of college-readiness. Some of the key provisions are:

• HB 5 would replace the current 3 high school graduation plans with one “Foundation” plan including 5 endorsements (STEM, Business/Industry, Arts/Humanities, Public Service, and Multidisciplinary).
• 24 credits would be required for graduation, reducing the current 4 credit requirement in math, science, and social studies to 3 credits in math, 3 credits in science, and 3 credits in social studies. The number of elective credits allowed would increase to 7.
• 15 End-of-Course (EOC) tests currently required would be reduced to 5 (English II Reading and Writing, Algebra I, Biology, and US History).
• HB 5 replaces the requirement for EOCs to count as 15% of the student’s final grade with permissive language such as “may adopt a policy” and “to be considered.”

Senate Bill 3/Senate Bill 1724 (SB 3/ SB 1724)

On Wednesday, March 27, SB 3/SB 1724 will be considered and voted on by the Senate. Some of the key provisions are:

• SB 3 would replace the current 3 high school graduation plans with one “Foundation” plan including 4 endorsements (STEM, Business/Industry, Arts/Humanities, and Distinguished).
• In SB 3, 26 credits would be required for graduation, reducing the current 4 credit requirement in math, science, and social studies to 3 credits in math, 3 credits in science, and 3 credits in social studies. The number of elective credits allowed would increase to 8.5.
• With SB 3, the 15 currently required EOC tests would be determined by the courses the student takes (potentially all 15 would remain). SB 1724 reduces the 15 EOCs currently required to 5 (English I Reading and Writing, English II Reading and Writing [combines Reading and Writing into single test result], Algebra I, Biology, and US History).
• SB 3 and SB 1724 both eliminate the requirement for EOCs to count as 15% of the student’s final grade.

Our core beliefs for any bill addressing graduation plans, testing and accountability:

• Create one graduation plan with endorsements.
• Maintain academic rigor while affording students increased academic choice.
• Decrease the number of EOCs from 15 to no more than 3 (English II Reading & Writing and Algebra I).
• Eliminate the requirement that EOCs count as 15% of the student’s final grade.
• State funding for the PSAT/PLAN and SAT/ACT