HCS SB 1080 -- EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS

SPONSOR:  Nodler (Wallace)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Education
by a vote of 21 to 0.

ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION

By June 30, 2006, the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education must align performance standards on the Missouri
Assessment Program (MAP) tests to levels that meet but do not
exceed those used in the National Assessment of Educational
Progress and make other changes necessary to meet federal
requirements.  Grade level expectations must be considered in
implementing performance standards.  By July 1, 2006, the
department must revise its accreditation standards to permit
process and resource standard waivers consistent with academic
performance profiles.

PRIORITY SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY

The statute on academic deficiency is repealed, and the section
on priority and performance schools is thoroughly revised,
eliminating performance schools.  The department will identify as
a priority school any school that fails to meet standards of
student achievement established by the State Board of Education
based upon certain factors specified in the substitute, such as
test performance, graduation rates, and attendance rates.  Any
district containing a priority school will submit a comprehensive
school improvement plan, using the procedures and timeline
established by the substitute, that:

(1)  Identifies areas of academic deficiency on the MAP by
disaggregating scores, as specified;

(2)  Implements research-based strategies to address the areas of
deficiency;

(3)  Aligns the school's curriculum to address academic
deficiencies; and

(4)  Reallocates resources to address the areas of academic
deficiency.

Priority schools will be listed in the district's annual school
accountability report.  The state board may appoint a team to
conduct an educational audit to determine the factors that have
contributed to the lack of student achievement.  State aid may be
withheld until the district submits an improvement plan.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that aligning state test standards
with the national test will make results more easily comparable.
Combining features from academic deficiency and priority schools
should keep standards high while simplifying procedures.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Nodler; Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education; Missouri State Teachers
Association; Missouri National Education Association; Cooperating
School Districts of Greater Kansas City; Missouri School Boards
Association; School Administrators Coalition; and Missouri
Federation of Teachers.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am