HB 94: "An Act relating to initiatives for quality schools; relating to pupil competency testing and the issuance of secondary school diplomas; relating to certain reports regarding academic performance of schools; and providing for an effective date."
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 94 01 "An Act relating to initiatives for quality schools; relating to pupil competency testing 02 and the issuance of secondary school diplomas; relating to certain reports regarding 03 academic performance of schools; and providing for an effective date." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 06 to read: 07 PURPOSE. (a) As part of the state's quality schools initiative, the purpose of this Act 08 is to maximize the opportunity for the success of all public school pupils by (1) continuing to 09 measure pupil performance through appropriate testing based on specific standards; (2) 10 allowing the Department of Education and Early Development to continue to develop and 11 perfect the testing method; and (3) ensuring that school districts and families receive 12 performance data from standards-based assessments of pupils. The performance data is to be 13 used to better determine appropriate academic intervention and support for pupils. 14 (b) The purpose of the change of date made by sec. 4 of this Act is to
01 (1) allow for specific high standards to be set and maintained for public 02 schools in the state; 03 (2) ensure maximum opportunity for the success of all public school pupils; 04 and 05 (3) provide at least two opportunities before the 10th grade for standards- 06 based assessments of pupils in order to allow sufficient time for appropriate academic 07 intervention and support. 08 * Sec. 2. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: 09 Sec. 14.03.078. Report. The department shall provide to the legislature by 10 January 15 of each year an annual report regarding the progress of each school toward 11 high academic performance for all pupils. 12 * Sec. 3. AS 14.03.075, enacted by sec. 1, ch. 58, SLA 1997 is amended by adding a new 13 subsection to read: 14 (c) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, the board shall determine the 15 requirements for a pupil with a disability who is receiving educational services 16 through an individualized educational plan under AS 14.30.278 to qualify for the 17 issuance of a secondary school diploma. 18 * Sec. 4. Section 3, ch. 58, SLA 1997 is amended to read: 19 Sec. 3. Section 1 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2006 [2002]. 20 * Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 21 read: 22 TESTING DATE CHANGE. If, based on the reports provided under AS 14.03.078, 23 the state Board of Education and Early Development determines that an effective date other 24 than January 1, 2006 for the competency testing requirement of AS 14.03.075 would be 25 reasonable, fair, and in the best interests of pupils in the state, the board shall recommend to 26 the legislature a different effective date. 27 * Sec. 6. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 28 read: 29 INTERIM PUPIL COMPETENCY TESTING. (a) Until January 1, 2006, and as 30 directed by the state Board of Education and Early Development, the governing body of each 31 school district in the state shall give the competency examination described in sec. 1, ch. 58,
01 SLA 1997 at least twice each school year. The results of the examination of a pupil under this 02 section shall be reflected in that pupil's transcript as directed by the state Board of Education 03 and Early Development. 04 (b) In this section, "district" has the meaning given in AS 14.17.990. 05 * Sec. 7. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).