ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: ED DPA 6-5-0-2

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HB2648: alternative testing; exemption; special education

Sponsor:  Representative Barto, LD 15

House Engrossed

Overview

Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt rules that allow a student to participate in alternative testing if the student is enrolled in a special education program and meets criteria specified by SBE. Establishes the Alternative Assessment Study Committee (Study Committee).

History

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that states include disabled students in all general state and district-wide assessment programs, provided that the student receives the appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments as indicated in the student's individual education program (IEP) (34 U.S.C. § 300.160). Federal law permits a state to develop and implement alternate assessments and guidelines for disabled students with the most significant cognitive disabilities if the student cannot participate in regular assessments and if the state has adopted alternate academic achievement standards.

Currently, state statute requires SBE to adopt and implement a statewide assessment to measure student achievement of the academic standards in reading, writing and math in at least four grades. Statute authorizes SBE to determine how the statewide assessment is implemented (A.R.S. § 15-741).  Additionally, statute permits SBE to administer assessments of the academic standards in social studies and science, except that a student is not required to meet or exceed the social studies or science standards measured by the statewide assessment.

For school year 2019-2020, public school students will be administered the AzM2 assessment in English language arts and math in grades 3-8 and grade 10 and AIMS Science in grades 4, 8 and 9-12. The state provides alternate assessments, though students must have an IEP to be considered. For school year 2019-2020, eligible students will be administered AIMS A Science in grades 4, 8 and 10 and the Multi-State Alternate Assessment in grades 3-8 and 11.

Provisions

1. Requires SBE to adopt rules that allow a student to participate in alternative testing instead of the statewide assessment or menu of achievement assessments if the student is enrolled in a special education program and the student meets criteria specified by SBE. (Sec. 1)

2. Establishes the Study Committee and outlines its members as follows:

a) Three members of the House of Representatives who are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker);

i. Stipulates that one member must be a member of the minority party.

ii. Designates one of these members as the chairperson of the Study Committee.

b) Three members of the Senate who are appointed by the President of the Senate (President);

i. Stipulates that one member must be a member of the minority party.

c) Two special education teachers who are appointed by the Speaker;

d) Two parents of special education students who are appointed by the President;

e) One school district superintendent, or designee, who is appointed by the Speaker;

f) One person with expertise in alternative assessments who is appointed by the President; and

g) The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or designee. (Sec. 2)

3. Specifies what the Study Committee must discuss and evaluate. (Sec. 2)

4. Requires the Study Committee to submit a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations by December 1, 2020. (Sec. 2)

5. Repeals the Study Committee on July 1, 2021. (Sec. 2)

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Initials CH                   House Engrossed

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