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Competency Testing Bill Passes Education
House, Senate Blend Delays Exams to 2004, OKs Waivers, Portfolios

(JUNEAU) - The House Special Committee on Education today passed a combined House and Senate version of high-school competency test legislation that still requires students seeking diplomas to demonstrate basic literacy, but delays the test’s effective date by two years and makes some allowances for special-needs and other students.

Education Committee Chair Rep. Con Bunde (R-Anchorage) said the version of Senate Bill 133 passed from the committee today retains the strengths of both versions and benefits from the diligent work on the issue by lawmakers in both bodies. Bunde sponsored the original 1997 competency test law, and worked to modify it this year to address concerns that too many Alaska students are not yet prepared to pass the tests.

“My guiding principle throughout this whole discussion is that students, parents and employers need some assurance that high school graduates have a basic level of literacy – that a diploma has to mean something,” Bunde said. “This bill draws from the best of the House and Senate bills, and, I think, follows that principle closely.”

The bill requires high school students to pass tests in reading, writing and mathematics in order to graduate with a diploma. Those who cannot would instead receive a certificate of achievement indicating which of the three tests they did pass, plus attendance records, grades and other information school districts would consider proper reflections of student capabilities. While SB 133 pushes the test’s effective date back from January 2002 to February 2004, it requires districts to continue giving the tests and recording the results during that period.

Concerns the test might discriminate against children with disabilities prompted extensive revision of the test law, Bunde said. The bill now would allow students on individual education plans to get diplomas either by passing all three competency tests with or without accommodations, or by producing a portfolio of work demonstrating mastery of state educational standards. The bill requires the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to report back to the Legislature within a year as to what form portfolios might take. It also authorizes exam waivers in rare and unusual situations, and establishes a process to appeal denial of diplomas.

“I think this bill as a whole helps lead more students towards their goals, and doesn’t put too many roadblocks in the way of others,” Bunde said. “I think we can cause much more harm to students by holding them only to low standards than by trying to help them achieve high standards. My experience is that students meet our expectations, whether they are high or low.”

The bill also requires school districts to report to the Legislature how they are aligning their curriculum to match state standards, how many students pass and fail the competency tests, and how schools are helping failing students succeed. SB 133 moves next to the House Health, Education and Social Services Committee.

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Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for SB 133
  
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 2 page(s) - 103 K

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