Synching CA Law with Federal ESEA
The Assembly Education Committee on March 19 approved a CTA-sponsored measure that will synchronize California's testing programs and the new requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (the ESEA or "No Child Left Behind" Act).
AB 356, by Assembly Member Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) cleared the panel with a seven-vote margin and heads now to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further action.
The CTA-sponsored measure would also free up valuable class time for instruction and funding that could be used to support high priority school programs.
Specifically, AB 356 (Hancock) would streamline and improve California's jumbled testing program. It would bring in line with the assessment and accountability requirements of the 2001 Federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE); the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program; and the state's rewards and sanctions provisions.
The Hancock measure would increase valuable instructional time for California's youngest students - grades 2 and below - by limiting the amount of class time devoted to unnecessary statewide, standardized test taking.
AB 356 would retain the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) as a primary testing instrument but eliminate it as a high school graduation requirement. Instead, students would be evaluated for graduation purposes against California's high academic content standards via locally determined multiple measures of their academic achievement. However, school districts would be allowed to require the CAHSEE as a district requirement for graduation.
Among its other benefits, AB 356 would eliminate the time spent drilling the youngest students on test taking strategies, allowing teachers to focus on helping students master the knowledge and skills required to meet the state's high academic content standards for their grade level.
AB 356 would maximize effectiveness and efficiency - saving valuable tax dollars and maximizing instructional time for all students during the state's dire fiscal straits.
The bill would help California's weakest students improve their academic performance by freeing up funds to preserve the state's High Priority Schools Grant Program.
CTA Members:
Get in touch with members of the Assembly Appropriations and urge them to approve AB 356 (Hancock).
Remind them that the bill will coordinate California's testing with the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. It will also allow teachers to teach, instead of drilling students on duplicative testing. In addition, in this tight budget year, it will free up funds for other high priority education programs.
Serving on Assembly Appropriations are:
(Note: clicking on the e-mail notation should allow you to e-mail directly to each lawmaker. If the link does not work, you may e-mail each by using the address Assemblymember.lastname@assembly.ca.gov. For instance, Assemblymember Wyland's e-mail address is Assemblymember.wyland@assembly.ca.gov.)