Bill Summary for Bill Number HB10-1430

Date: 05/03/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1430

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment H). The motion Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment I). The motion Moved to refer House Bill 10-1430, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

04:27 PM -- House Bill 10-1430

Representative Solano, sponsor of House Bill 10-1430, concerning a new K-12 education assessment system, presented the bill to the committee. She also shared a handout with the committee members (Attachment E). She explained that colleges do not use the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) scores as an entrance requirement. She also discussed the pilot program the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) implemented under Senate Bill 08-212. She reviewed the provisions of House Bill 10-1430, noting that the bill decouples reading and writing assessments and replaces the 9th and 10th grade CSAP with the ACT standardized test. She also addressed arguments that have been raised against the bill. She explained that CSAP scores have been fairly flat and that the level of poverty of a child is directly linked to how that child performs on the CSAP. She discussed research in this area specific to the CSAP. She also explained how writing assessments are graded, stating that it is reviewed by a person with no connection to the student. She stated that she believes that the bill is a good compromise because it does not alter the CSAPs administered in grades three through eight. She explained that she has an amendment to remove the resource bank in order to address fiscal cost concerns.

04:42 PM

Representative Massey asked if replacing the 10th grade CSAP state jeopardizes federal funding. Representative Solano responded that it would require a change to the state plan. Representative Schafer expressed her disappointment with the lack of student progress on the CSAP and asked for more information on the pilot program. Representative Solano reviewed information about the types of assessments piloted and that the students reacted to the testing positively.

04:48 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

04:48 PM -- Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), testified against the bill. He expressed concerns about the timelines set forth in the bill and stated that the introduced bill is different from the draft version CASE saw in March. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:52 PM -- Richard Wenning, representing the Colorado Department of Education and the State Board of Education, testified against the bill. He explained that the department opposes the bill for three reasons: the bill interrupts the implementation of Senate Bill 08-212, the Race to Top assessment competitive grant process, and is occurring amidst federal discussions regarding the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. He further stated that the bill is not needed; it is expensive; and it is impractical to implement. He stated that the fiscal note is inaccurate and that the bill undermines the implementation of the Colorado Growth Model. He further stated that the deadlines in the bill are impractical. He responded to questions from the committee.

05:03 PM

Mr. Wenning continued to respond to questions from the committee, with Representative Peniston asking when the assessment changes will be fully implemented. Mr. Wenning responded that the timeline should be clearer once the department knows whether it is part of the federal assessment grant program. Representative Schafer asked what kind of assessments are considered postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) assessments. Mr. Wenning responded that the ACT and SAT are currently used, and that a revised version of these assessments will likely will emerge.

05:09 PM -- Scott Groginsky, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified against the bill because it interrupts the existing stakeholder process for input on assessments, it eliminates the writing exam, and is unnecessary as a process has been established for revising assessments. He addressed Representative Solano's previous comments on deeming CSAP scores flat in the state.

05:12 PM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), testified against the bill. She outlined the reasons for CASB's opposition, namely that Senate Bill 08-212 set out a process for assessment revision, and House Bill 10-1430 interrupts that process.

05:14 PM -- Tim Harp, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He shared his experience as a special education school teacher. He stated that he does not believe the CSAP is effective for high school students because it does not guide career and education decisions for those students.

05:17 PM -- Matt Oehlert, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He shared his experience as a social science teacher who administers the CSAP test. He also shared his experience teaching AVID, which is a program that assists students explore career choices and higher education options. He noted that the students are more engaged in this program because it provides direction for those students. He stated that CSAP is a drain of resources, given the cost of the test and time it takes away from instruction.

05:21 PM -- Stan Hesting, representing Adams 12 Five Star Schools, testified in support of the bill. He shared his perspective as a school administrator on the CSAP and noted the other assessments his school district provides to students: EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT, and is supportive of using these in lieu of CSAP in high school. He responded to questions from the committee, discussing the importance of instant feedback on assessments.

05:32 PM -- Michael Stelling, representing himself, testified in support of the bill, providing his perspective as a former social studies teacher and a school guidance counselor. He addressed previous testimony on the bill, specifically refuting that the bill will create additional work or take additional time for school personnel. He discussed the importance of students to have the ability to see where they compare nationally.

05:36 PM -- Terry Whitney, representing the College Board, testified in support of the bill.

05:40 PM -- Julie Whitacre, representing the Colorado Education Association (CEA), testified in support of the bill. She stated the importance of accurate assessments.


BILL:	HB10-1430
TIME:	05:42:10 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan	Excused
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1430
TIME:	05:42:36 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan	Excused
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1430
TIME:	05:43:08 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan	Excused
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1430
TIME:	05:44:18 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.005 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan	Excused
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

05:44 PM

Representative Solano concluded her remarks on the bill and asked for the committee's support for the bill. Representative Massey expressed his support for the bill and noted the teacher feedback that has revealed that the CSAP at the high school level is not relevant to high school students. Representative Todd expressed her support for the bill and expressed concern for the amount of money that is spent on assessing students. Representative Murray shared her comments on the bill, stating that she will not be able to support the bill. Representative Schafer asked that she continue to work with stakeholders to bring consensus and agreement on the bill.


BILL:	HB10-1430
TIME:	05:51:04 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1430, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 8-4-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Merrifield
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McNulty	No
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	No
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Excused
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	No
	Tipton	No
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:51 PM

The committee adjourned.