The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a CTA-sponsored measure that would improve California's student testing system and bring it more in line with federal requirements.
The 7-4 vote on Aug. 14 sent AB 356, authored by Assembly Member Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), to the full Senate for further action.
In its current form, AB 356 would:
- Align California's Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program with federal guidelines in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as the No Child Left Behind Act). It would exempt second-graders from the state testing requirement, just as the federal legislation does. In so doing, AB 356 would increase instructional time for secondgraders.
- Delay until the 2005-06 school year the requirement that students pass the California High School Exit Examination in order to graduate. The measure would require the State Board of Education, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, to study other criteria that could be used to demonstrate the level of competency necessary to earn a high school diploma.
- Eliminate school and staff rewards based on test scores in the STAR program, including the Governor's Performance Awards Program and the Certificated Staff Performance Incentive Program.
In this time of funding deficits, AB 356 would help the state use its education dollars more wisely, protect youngsters in early grades from unnecessary testing, and bring California's testing program in line with federal requirements.
Len Feldman