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House approves bill to validate student tests, debates adding science
Summary
The House passed first substitute HB33 to validate state tests and introduce a tenth-grade competency assessment; lawmakers debated whether to include science in validated tests and raised concerns about fiscal impacts and test validity. The bill passed 58–8 and proceeds to the Senate.
On Feb. 19 the Utah House passed first substitute House Bill 33, a broad education accountability measure that requires validation of state-administered tests and establishes a tenth-grade basic-skills competency assessment. Sponsor Representative Franson said the measure focuses on validating criterion-referenced and norm-referenced assessments and building a reliable system of measurements to inform policy and improvement.
Floor debate concentrated on a proposed amendment to restore science to the list of tests to be validated alongside mathematics and reading. Representative Rowland and other supporters argued science is part of the core curriculum and that validated science tests already exist for some disciplines; opponents including Representative Franson and Representative King said science testing introduces content-specific complications, risks reading bias, and would increase the bill’s fiscal note. A motion to reinstate science failed on the floor after debate and a previous-question motion to cut off debate.
Representatives also asked about what the tenth-grade competency assessment would require and who would set passing standards; sponsor said the State Board of Education would determine standards and might contract work out to validators. The bill specifies that students who fail to pass all components of the basic-skills test may receive an alternative completion certificate rather than a basic diploma; debate noted protections for students with disabilities.
The House passed the bill by 58 yes and 8 no. The bill is referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Why it matters: The bill sets new validation steps for state tests, which could affect school accountability, teacher incentives and the academic focus in earlier grades. The defeated amendment over science highlights tensions about priorities and test design.
What’s next: HB33 moves to the Senate.
