Bill Text: HI HB725 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Standardized Testing.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-15 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Okimoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Aquino, DeCoite, Nakamura, Quinlan, Thielen excused (5). [HB725 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB725-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
725 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STANDARDIZED TESTING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and Race to the Top program in 2009 shifted national education priorities from inquiry-based teaching to standardized testing. Following the enactment of these laws, Hawaii’s public school system spent growing amounts of time, money, and energy on standardized testing at the expense of authentic learning.
The legislature further finds that an overemphasis on standardized testing narrows academic curricula, reducing arts and cultural education, causing teachers to teach for the standardized testing, decreasing vocational programming, and creating a climate of compliance and fear among students, teachers, and administrators. Moreover, research shows that the negative impacts of standardized testing do most direct harm to students in low-income communities.
The legislature additionally finds that the federal Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 permits states to reduce the amount of time that students spend preparing for and taking standardized tests. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote real-world learning experiences for Hawaii’s children by limiting the amount of time students spend studying for and participating in standardized testing.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Standardized testing limitations; op out. (a)
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the department shall only
administer standardized tests that are required by state and federal law.
(b) The
board shall notify students and their parents or guardians about the right to
opt out of participating in standardized testing.
(c) For
the purpose of this section:
"Standardized testing" means any assessment that is scored in a consistent manner and intended to measure a student’s academic readiness, achievement level, learning progress, or skill acquisition, including any diagnostic, interim, or practice test used to prepare for such an assessment."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-638, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-638[]]
Evaluation of teachers and educational officers. The department shall establish an evaluation
program for all teachers and educational officers. The evaluation shall be performed at least
once in each school year. The program
shall define the criteria for evaluation and assign responsibilities for the
application of the criteria. The
evaluation of a teacher or educational officer shall be on the basis of
efficiency, ability, and such other criteria as the department shall determine[.];
provided that standardized tests results shall not be used to evaluate the
performance of any teacher or educational officer, including in any evaluation
performed under this section."
SECTION 4. The board of education shall amend any necessary board policies relating to standardized testing or the evaluation of teachers and educational officers to conform with the requirements of this Act.
SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Standardized Testing; Exemptions; Evaluation; Teacher; Educational Officers
Description:
Limits public school students' participation in standardized tests and provides notice to students and parents or guardians of the opportunity to opt out of standardized tests. Prohibits use of standardized test scores for the evaluation of teachers and educational officers.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
