Improving Student Testing Act of 2007
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (5 Feb 2008): Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
What this bill does
H.R. 4305, the "Improving Student Testing Act of 2007," would allow states more flexibility in how they measure school performance and student progress. States could use academic indicators beyond standardized tests to determine if schools need improvement. The bill also permits states to use "growth models" that track individual student progress over time, in addition to or instead of focusing solely on proficiency levels.
This legislation would affect states and local school districts by offering options for designing their assessment and accountability systems. It allows for less frequent statewide testing or the use of multiple assessment methods, such as performance-based tests or portfolios. The bill also proposes grants for states to develop these alternative assessment systems and to implement privacy protections for statewide education data systems.
Introduced in the House of Representatives on December 6, 2007, H.R. 4305 was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet moved through the legislative process for debate, amendment, or a vote by either chamber of Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Improving Student Testing Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to use academic indicators other than statewide standardized assessments in determining whether schools need improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. (Currently, such indicators may not be used to reduce the number of schools requiring such interventions.)
Permits states to use growth or hybrid growth and status models in determining whether students are making adequate progress toward state standards. Requires growth models and the growth portion of hybrid models to: (1) use statewide education data systems capable of tracking individual student growth; and (2) assess students annually in grades 3 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12.
Allows states to alter their current assessment systems by: (1) conducting statewide assessments less frequently, but at least once in grades 3 through 5, 6 through 9, and 10 through 12; or (2) using multiple measures of assessments instead of, or in addition to, statewide standardized assessments.
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to states to implement certain privacy protection measures for statewide education data systems.
Waives the requirement that all students meet state academic proficiency standards by the end of the 2013-2014 school year if, for each of FY2008-FY2015, school improvement funds appropriated do not match those authorized.
Makes changes to the state education improvement plan peer review process that involve the composition of peer review panels, the feedback they provide, and the consistency of their decisions from state to state.
Requires states to disaggregate high school graduation rates by student subgroups. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to states to disaggregate and report student graduation and performance data.
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to: (1) states to develop multiple measures of assessment, rather than one standardized test; and (2) states and local educational agencies to improve their capacity to implement alternative accountability and assessment systems and meet school improvement requirements.
Timeline
5 Feb 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4305 do?
- H.R. 4305, the "Improving Student Testing Act of 2007," would allow states more flexibility in how they measure school performance and student progress. States could use academic indicators beyond standardized tests to determine if schools need improvement. The bill also permits states to use "growth models" that track individual student progress over time, in addition to or instead of focusing solely on proficiency levels. This legislation would affect states and local school districts by offering options for designing their assessment and accountability systems. It allows for less frequent statewide testing or the use of multiple assessment methods, such as performance-based tests or portfolios. The bill also proposes grants for states to develop these alternative assessment systems and to implement privacy protections for statewide education data systems. Introduced in the House of Representatives on December 6, 2007, H.R. 4305 was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet moved through the legislative process for debate, amendment, or a vote by either chamber of Congress.
- Has H.R. 4305 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4305. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4305?
- H.R. 4305 was sponsored by Rep. Allen, Thomas H. [D-ME-1] (D-ME), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4305?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. (5 Feb 2008).
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