Tough Fight Ahead
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved 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 the CTA-sponsored AB 356, 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 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 a state requirement for high school graduation. 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 competency and receive a high school diploma.
- 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 the Senate and ask them to approve AB 356 (Hancock).
For more information, contact CTA GR Communications Consultant Len Feldman at lfeldman@cta.org.