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Committee adopts substitute directing BESE to implement reduced student testing plan, reports bill favorably
Summary
Senate Bill 105 substitute directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to implement a plan to reduce standardized testing and was reported favorably by the committee after members and education officials said changes preserve required federal testing while cutting other assessments.
The Senate Committee on Education adopted a new substitute for Senate Bill 105 on student assessments and reported the bill favorably to the floor after broad discussion about who should implement changes to the state’s assessment program.
Senator Abraham, sponsor of the substitute, told the committee the measure maintains the previously discussed 36% reduction in testing but alters implementation authority: the substitute directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to implement the testing changes rather than the Department of Education. “We are directing BESE to implement these changes,” Abraham said.
Committee discussion focused on the language specifying BESE’s role and whether the change addresses constitutional concerns previously raised by BESE. Cade Brumley of the Department of Education and Superintendent Brumley said the Department had been engaged with Senator Abraham and BESE leadership through the drafting process. “I want to commend Senator Abraham for working through a process, not just with our agency, but with BESE as well,” Brumley said.
The committee adopted the substitute (SLS 1521) and reported the bill favorably. Senator Meisel moved favorable passage of the substitute; members raised clarifying questions about frequency and grade coverage for specific assessments but did not object to reporting the bill out of committee.
