Committee adopts changes to at‑risk student cohort rules and achievement goals
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Summary
House Bill 2663 was adopted by the Committee on Education. The bill shifts one cohort grade from grade 3 to grade 4, expands allowable cohort definitions (including free‑meal eligibility and at‑risk program eligibility), provides consultation when cohorts are too small, and changes the achievement goal metric from an AND to an OR for ELA or math.
The Committee on Education voted to adopt House Bill 2663, a measure that modifies requirements for student cohorts and achievement goals in school district at‑risk accountability plans.
Revisor Long explained the primary changes: one cohort identification grade would move from third to fourth grade; districts would have broader flexibility to define cohorts, including students eligible for free meals or other at‑risk programs; the bill directs consultation with the State Department of Education if no cohort has 11 or more students; and the achievement goal would be based on proficiency in either English language arts or mathematics rather than requiring both.
Committee members praised pilot districts and the Department of Education for earlier work on the program. Chairman Goetz and other members emphasized the bill’s intent to better target at‑risk dollars and improve reporting on program effectiveness. After limited discussion, the committee adopted the bill and voted to pass it out favorably.
The measure advances to the next legislative steps with committee support; members said implementation will require coordination with the Department of Education and affected pilot districts.