ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
schools; reading
proficiency; statewide measures
Purpose
Requires the Department of
Education to develop statewide academic measures, including the development of
a survey, to assess the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten through
grade three.
Background
The Reading Success Task
Force was created and directed by the State Board of Education to carry out the
purposes of Laws 1998, Chapter 231 to develop a new reading curriculum for
pupils in kindergarten through grade three.
Over a period of one year, the Reading Success Task Force brought in
numerous national reading experts and synthesized empirically validated
research to develop a report of recommendations for the purpose of assisting
schools statewide in best methods for moving students toward reading
proficiency.
This legislation addresses
one of the recommendations in the Reading Success Task Force report published
in January 2000, which is to develop a statewide measurement to assess the
reading proficiency of children in kindergarten through third grade. The reading components specified for the
measurement are primary reading principles that provide the foundation young
readers need to learn for reading success, according to the report.
Provisions
1. Requires the Department of Education to develop statewide academic measures, including the development of a survey, to assess the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten through grade three.
2. Specifies assessment measures relating to reading principles and outlines measurements to be included in the survey.
3. Requires the Department of Education to select an assessment team to administer the statewide academic measurement survey.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 24, 2000