Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-01-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-01-22 Senate Journal Page 2000 SB 250 SENATE BILL NO. 250 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act extending the dates for assignment of performance designations of public schools and the dates for reports and monitoring based on those designations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Education and Early Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 21: Dear President Halford: I am transmitting this bill extending the date for public school performance designations to September 2004, aligning it with the secondary school student competency testing examination. Aligning the effective date of these two programs makes sense because the school performance designations are based on student achievement, including the results of the competency exam. 2002-01-22 Senate Journal Page 2001 The additional time will allow the Department of Education and Early Development to do three things regarding school performance designations: · Align state programs with the new requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act; · Collect the data necessary to measure growth; · Build the capacity to effectively collect, analyze, and use the data. Correspondingly, the bill also delays the effective date for department reports and monitoring that are to be based on school designations. In addition, the bill clarifies that school designations are intended to reflect student achievement of "essential skills." It is those skills that students are tested on throughout the standardized testing program mandated by state law. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor