Legislative Update on State Assessment

HF 2235 - State Assessment - This bill requires that the State Board of Education adopt administrative rules designating the “assessment developed by the Iowa Testing Programs within the University of Iowa College of Education and administered by the Iowa Testing Programs’ designee” as Iowa’s statewide/summative assessment for accountability. The bill requires that the assessment must be aligned to the Iowa Core academic standards; accurately describe student achievement and growth; be available in both paper-and-pencil computer-based formats; and meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The bill also requires that the designated assessment must be peer-reviewed by an independent, third-party evaluator to determine that it is aligned with the Iowa Core academic standards and meets the summative assessment requirements of ESSA. If the third-party evaluator determines that the assessment from Iowa Testing Programs is not aligned or does not meet the requirements of ESSA, then Iowa Testing Programs must “make any necessary adjustments as determined by the peer review” in order to meet those requirements. The assessment would be administered in the last quarter of the 2018-2019 school year.

A few highlights pulled out:

• All students in grades 3-11 must take a math assessment and ELA assessment that includes reading and writing
• Students in grade 5, 8 and 10 must take a science assessment
• Testing will take place during the last quarter of the school year
• The assessment must be aligned in content and rigor with the Iowa/Common Core
• Include assessments in reading, writing, science, and math
• The assessment must be available in both paper and computer format
• If a peer review determines the Iowa test does not meet these requirements, Iowa Testing must make necessary adjustments
• The assessment would be administered in the last quarter of the 2018-2019 school year.
• The assessment must meet ESSA requirements