Friday, May 31, 2013

California Assembly Approves Overhaul of Public School Testing


REL#13-61
CONTACT: Pam Slater
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE: 916-319-0818
May 29, 2013
E-MAIL: pslater@cde.ca.gov  

 
Assembly Approves Overhaul of Public School Testing

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Applauds Move to College, Career Readiness

 
SACRAMENTO—Legislation sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to create a new statewide assessment system using computer-based exams that would measure and promote student progress toward career and college readiness was approved today by the state Assembly.

Assembly Bill 484 (Bonilla) would limit the use of outdated Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) system tests for the 2013-14 school year and begin statewide use of new assessments aligned to California’s Common Core State Standards in 2014-15.

“I’m gratified that the Assembly agrees that California’s students deserve new assessments that gauge their knowledge of the real-world skills that open the door to success in a career and in college,” Torlakson said. “These new assessments will ask students to reason through complex problems and think in-depth, giving teachers new insights and new tools to improve learning.”

            Torlakson’s proposal would retain assessments required to meet federal mandates or those administered under the Early Assessment Program, as the state moves to put in place tests developed by the Smarter Balanced consortium. California serves as one of the governing states in the consortium.

            AB 484 would establish the California Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress for the 21st Century (CALMAPP21), including the use of the Smarter Balanced assessments, to replace the existing STAR program.

            The legislation is based on Torlakson’s recommendations contained in his

Recommendations for Transitioning California to a Future Assessment System released in January to guide the process of reauthorizing and revamping California’s statewide assessment system, which currently sunsets on July 1, 2014.

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The California Department of Education (CDE) is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov or by mobile device at http://m.cde.ca.gov/. You may also follow Superintendent Torlakson on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorlaksonSSPI and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CAEducation

 

 

 

 

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