Assigned to ED                                                                                                           FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1342

 

schools; reading proficiency; statewide measures

 

Purpose

 

Requires the Department of Education to analyze 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 analyze statewide academic measures, including the development of a survey, to assess the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten through grade three.

 

2.      Authorizes the Department of Education to use the standardized norm-referenced achievement test in the analysis of statewide reading proficiency measures.

 

3.      Specifies assessment measures relating to reading principles and outlines measurements to be included in the survey.

 

4.      Requires the Department of Education to select an assessment team to administer the statewide academic measurement survey.

 

5.      Provides for a general effective date.    

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee

 

1.      Authorizes the Department of Education to use the standardized norm-referenced achievement test in the analysis of statewide reading proficiency measures.

 

2.      Adds two reading measures in the assessment and removes two measures in the survey.

 

3.      Makes clarifying changes.

 

Senate Action

 

ED                   1/27/00            DPA    7-0-2-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 31, 2000