Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act

Bill: 115-s-1762
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-09-05
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments

Elementary and secondary education

Language arts

Science and engineering education
Latest action: action_date: 2017-09-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-09-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act</strong></p> <p>This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reduce the required frequency of student achievement tests in mathematics and reading or language arts. Currently, students must be tested in those areas against state academic content and achievement standards in each of grades three through eight. This bill instead requires that those tests be administered at least once during: (1) grades 3 through 5, (2) grades 6 through 8, and (3) grades 9 through 12. </p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1762 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 5, 2017 Mr. Tester introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify when certain academic assessments shall be administered.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 supports programs to level the playing field for the most vulnerable, including children of poverty, students with disabilities, and English language learners. (2) Prior to 2001, Federal law required States only to test students once per grade span. Current Federal law requires students to undergo standardized testing every year in grades 3 through 8. (3) Reducing the frequency of federally required testing will allow more time for student learning and inspire their natural curiosity and creativity. (4) Students will have more time to receive one-on-one instruction and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through a well-rounded education and curriculum. (5) Moving away from the practice of annually teaching to the test will empower educators to provide instruction in a way that best inspires and prepares our Nation's next generation of leaders. (6) With grade span testing, our educators will be more able to focus on those students who are most in need but who also lose the most class time preparing for annual tests. (7) Grade span testing will allow States the flexibility to develop more meaningful, tailored assessment systems that provide valid, reliable data. (8) The yearly testing currently required by Federal law should be replaced with grade span testing. 3. Academic assessments Section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)(v), by striking subclause (I) and inserting the following: (I) in the case of mathematics and reading or language arts, be administered not less than one time during— (aa) grades 3 through 5; (bb) grades 6 through 8; and (cc) grades 9 though 12; ; (2) in subparagraph (C)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), and in clause (ii), by striking subparagraph (B)(v)(I)(aa) and inserting subparagraph (B)(v)(I)(bb) ; and (B) in clauses (i) and (iii), by striking subparagraph (B)(v)(I)(bb) and inserting subparagraph (B)(v)(I)(cc) ; and (3) in subparagraph (H), in clauses (i) and (vi), by striking subclause (I)(bb) and and inserting subclause (I)(cc) or .