A bill to provide for fairness and accuracy in student testing.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 Apr 2000): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
This bill, S. 2348, aims to ensure fairness and accuracy in how standardized tests are used in schools. It would prohibit test scores from being the only factor in decisions about a student's grade promotion, graduation, or placement in special programs. Instead, test scores could only be considered alongside other measures like grades and teacher evaluations. The bill also sets specific requirements for standardized tests, including that they must be valid, reliable, aligned with curriculum, and administered according to publisher guidelines.
The bill would affect State and local educational agencies that receive federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. These agencies would need to demonstrate that their tests meet certain technical standards and provide accommodations for students with disabilities and those who are not proficient in English. Additionally, these agencies would be required to evaluate the impact of standardized tests on student outcomes, paying close attention to different student groups.
S. 2348 was introduced in the Senate on April 4, 2000, and currently has the status of "Introduced." It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of the provided information, no further action has been taken on the bill.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Establishes certain requirements relating to the use of standardized tests by State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).Prohibits standardized test performance from being the sole determinant of any decision about an individual student's retention, graduation, tracking, or within-class ability grouping. Allows test performance to be considered in making such decision only if specified criteria are met. Requires such tests to: (1) meet professional standards of validity and reliability for the purpose for which its results are being used; (2) allow users to make score interpretations related to a functional performance level, and be based on State or local content or performance standards, and be aligned with curriculum and classroom instruction; (3) be administered in accordance with written guidance from the test developer or publisher; and (4) not be used to decide promotion or placement in special education for a child below age eight or grade three. Requires that: (1) multiple measures of student achievement be used, including grades and evaluations by teachers, so that scores from large-scale assessments are never the only source of information used nor assigned determinative weight in making a high-stakes decision about an individual student; and (2) multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter covered by the test be provided to students tested. Requires SEAs and LEAs to: (1) have evidence that the test is of adequate technical quality for each purpose for which it is used; (2) provide appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments for students with disabilities that provide such students with a valid opportunity to show what they know and can do; and (3) provide appropriate accommodations for students with limited English proficiency, including specified arrangements.Requires evaluations of the impact of standardized tests use in high stakes decisions on students' education and educational outcomes, particularly on individuals and subgroups disaggregated by socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, limited English proficiency, disability, and gender, to be carried out by: (1) SEAs receiving ESEA funds; (2) LEAs receiving ESEA funds located in States that do not do such evaluations; and (3) the Secretary of Education.
Timeline
4 Apr 2000
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does S. 2348 do?
- This bill, S. 2348, aims to ensure fairness and accuracy in how standardized tests are used in schools. It would prohibit test scores from being the only factor in decisions about a student's grade promotion, graduation, or placement in special programs. Instead, test scores could only be considered alongside other measures like grades and teacher evaluations. The bill also sets specific requirements for standardized tests, including that they must be valid, reliable, aligned with curriculum, and administered according to publisher guidelines. The bill would affect State and local educational agencies that receive federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. These agencies would need to demonstrate that their tests meet certain technical standards and provide accommodations for students with disabilities and those who are not proficient in English. Additionally, these agencies would be required to evaluate the impact of standardized tests on student outcomes, paying close attention to different student groups. S. 2348 was introduced in the Senate on April 4, 2000, and currently has the status of "Introduced." It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As of the provided information, no further action has been taken on the bill.
- Has S. 2348 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2348. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2348?
- S. 2348 was sponsored by Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] (D-MN), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2348?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (4 Apr 2000).
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