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House passes SB 149 to adjust school grading for new assessments after extended floor debate
Summary
The House adopted Second Substitute SB 149, which adjusts school-grading scale mappings to reflect new SAGE assessments and avoid a statewide slide to D/F grades; sponsor promised interim review and members agreed to continued study of later provisions.
Representative Last, floor sponsor for Second Substitute SB 149, told members the bill adjusts grading maps after the state switched from CRT to SAGE assessments and warned that failing to adjust would produce a dramatic shift toward D and F grades statewide. He said the adjustments were necessary because the grading system the Legislature created must be mapped to the new assessment and that failing to do so would unfairly penalize schools.
Multiple members spoke in favor, citing the bill’s role in producing a more accurate picture of classroom outcomes and protecting teachers and schools from systemic distortions. Representative Briscoe and others asked for continued study of portions of the bill beyond a certain line; sponsor and proponents agreed the issue would be placed on interim committee agendas. Representative Notwell moved the previous question to end debate; the motion carried and the House passed Second Substitute SB 149 by a vote of 68 yea to 6 nay. The sponsor pledged further interim work to refine scale adjustments and mapping concerns.
Actions and next steps: SB 149 (second substitute) passed the House and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration; sponsors committed to further study in interim committee hearings.
