114 S1025 IS: Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act U.S. Senate 2015-04-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1025IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 21, 2015Mr. Tester introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo 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. (3)Following the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–110), which amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), Federal education policy has placed an increased emphasis on testing assessments, requiring students to undergo standardized testing every year in grades 3 through 8. (4)Reducing the frequency of federally required testing will allow more time for student learning and inspire their natural curiosity and creativity. (5)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. (6)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. (7)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. (8)Grade span testing will allow States the flexibility to develop more meaningful, tailored assessment systems that provide valid, reliable data. (9)The yearly testing currently required by Federal law should be replaced with grade span testing.

3.

Academic assessments

Section 1111(b)(3)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)(C)) is amended— (1)in clause (v)(I)— (A)by striking except as otherwise provided for grades 3 through 8 under clause vii,; and (B)by inserting and the achievement of students against the challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards after proficiency of students; (2)by striking clause (vii); and (3)in clause (viii), by striking , (vi), (vii) and inserting and (vi).