ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: ED DP 8-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 29-0-1-0

House: ED DP 9-1-0-0 | 3rd Read 56-0-4-0

SB1327: alternative assessment advisory committee

Sponsor: Senator Barto, LD 15

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

An emergency measure that instructs the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish an Alternative Assessment Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee).

History

Laws 2021, Chapter 57 establishes the Alternative Assessment Study Committee (Study Committee) and outlines its duties, which include evaluating how Arizona can improve outreach and professional development to ensure support for parents and educators of special education students who are not eligible for the alternate assessment. In 2021, the Study Committee adopted several recommendations, including recommendations to: 1) establish an ongoing work group to continue the Study Committee's work; and 2) require any follow-up reports be provided to specified entities (Final Report). The Study Committee is scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2022.

Federal law requires all students with disabilities to be included in all state and districtwide assessment programs, provided that students are afforded appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments as indicated in their individualized education program (IEP) (20 U.S.C. § 1412). Federal law also prohibits states from using an alternate assessment for more than 1% of the total number of students in the state who are assessed in a subject (20 U.S.C. § 70).

The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is an alternate assessment administered by ADE in English language arts, mathematics and science for students with significant cognitive disabilities. To be eligible to participate in the MSAA, students must have an IEP (ADE).

Provisions

1. Directs ADE to establish an Advisory Committee that consists of the Superintendent of Public Instruction or their designee and at least nine other specified members who are appointed by ADE in coordination with the State Board of Education. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires the Advisory Committee to consider the recommendations of the Study Committee and any item relating to alternative assessments and special education. (Sec. 1)

3. Instructs the Advisory Committee to provide an update on its progress to the Study Committee in a public hearing by July 1, 2022. (Sec. 1)

4. Mandates the Advisory Committee provide an annual update on its progress to the House of Representatives and Senate Education Committees in a public hearing. (Sec. 1)

5. Repeals the Advisory Committee on July 1, 2025. (Sec. 1)

6. Contains a retroactivity clause of November 23, 2021. (Sec. 1)

7. Contains an emergency clause. (Sec. 1)

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11. SB 1327

12. Initials CH/MR Page 0 Transmitted

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