HB 4955

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall administer no more than one assessment (instead of 3 assessments), per student, of English language arts and mathematics for students in a secondary education program. Removes a provision that specifies that students who do not take the State's final accountability assessment or its approved alternate assessment may not receive a regular high school diploma unless otherwise exempted. Provides that the State Board of Education may not assess students in any manner beyond that required for compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Provides that the State Board shall also explore any flexibility afforded to states through waivers under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-5 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-20 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the State Board of Education may not provide funding for any standardized assessment or test any students in grades kindergarten through 6 beyond the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Provides that nothing in these provisions may be construed to limit the ability of a classroom teacher or school district to develop, purchase, administer, or score an assessment for an individual classroom, grade level, or group of grade levels in any subject area in grades kindergarten through 6. Provides that the State Board of Education shall explore any assessment flexibility afforded to states through waivers under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 with the following changes. Provides that on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the State Board of Education may not mandate or require the use of funding for any additional standardized assessments in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, or science in grades kindergarten through 6 beyond the requirements of federal law (instead of providing that the State Board of Education may not provide funding for any standardized assessment or test any students in grades kindergarten through 6 beyond the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act). Makes a conforming change.