Important Test
A CTA-sponsored measure that would improve California's student testing system and bring it more in line with federal requirements could come up in the state Senate prior to June 25.
CTA-sponsored AB 356, by Assembly Member Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), cleared the Assembly on a 44-32 vote on June 3 and is slated to be heard in the Senate Education Committee later this month.
As amended, AB 356 would:
- Align California's Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program with federal guidelines in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). It would exempt pupils in second grade from the state-testing requirement, just as the federal legislation does. In so doing, AB 356 will also increase instructional time for second graders.
- Delay until the 2005-06 school year requiring students to pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) as state requirement for high school graduation.
- Eliminates school and staff rewards based on tests scores in the STAR program including: the Governor's Performance Awards Program and the Certificated Staff Performance Incentive Program.
AB 356 is important because in this time of deficits, it will help the state use its education funding more wisely, protect youngsters in early grades from unnecessary testing, and bring California's testing program in line with federal requirements.
CTA Members:
Contact members of Senate Education and ask them to approve AB 356 (Hancock) in the form that it passed the Assembly.
(Note: Contact information for Senate Education Committee members is listed below.)
Senate Education Committee
(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 firstname.lastname@sen.ca.gov. For instance, Sen. John Vasconcellos' e-mail address is john.vasconcellos@sen.ca.gov.)