Bill Text: MS SB2454 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Student test results; testing companies shall notify schools not later than 21st day after the test is given.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [SB2454 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2454-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) Watson
Senate Bill 2454
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ENTITY ADMINISTERING STATEWIDE STUDENT TESTS SHALL NOTIFY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS OF THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS NOT LATER THAN THE 21ST DAY AFTER THE DATE THE TEST IS GIVEN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-16-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-16-3. (1) The State Department of Education is directed to implement a program of statewide assessment testing which shall provide for the improvement of the operation and management of the public schools. The statewide program shall be timed, as far as possible, so as not to conflict with ongoing district assessment programs. As part of the program, the department shall:
(a) Establish, with the approval of the State Board of Education, minimum performance standards related to the goals for education contained in the state's plan including, but not limited to, basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. The minimum performance standards shall be approved by April 1 in each year they are established.
(b) Conduct a uniform statewide testing program in grades deemed appropriate in the public schools, including charter schools. The program may test skill areas, basic skills and high school course content.
(c) Monitor the results of the assessment program and, at any time the composite student performance of a school or basic program is found to be below the established minimum standards, notify the district superintendent or the governing board of the charter school, as the case may be, the school principal and the school advisory committee or other existing parent group of the situation within thirty (30) days of its determination. The department shall further provide technical assistance to a school district in the identification of the causes of this deficiency and shall recommend courses of action for its correction.
(d) Provide technical assistance to the school districts, when requested, in the development of student performance standards in addition to the established minimum statewide standards.
(e) Issue security procedure regulations providing for the security and integrity of the tests that are administered under the basic skills assessment program.
(f) In case of an allegation of a testing irregularity that prompts a need for an investigation by the Department of Education, the department may, in its discretion, take complete control of the statewide test administration in a school district or any part thereof, including, but not limited to, obtaining control of the test booklets and answer documents. In the case of any verified testing irregularity that jeopardized the security and integrity of the test(s), validity or the accuracy of the test results, the cost of the investigation and any other actual and necessary costs related to the investigation paid by the Department of Education shall be reimbursed by the local school district from funds other than federal funds, Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds, or any other state funds within six (6) months from the date of notice by the department to the school district to make reimbursement to the department.
(2) Uniform basic skills tests shall be completed by each student in the appropriate grade. These tests shall be administered in such a manner as to preserve the integrity and validity of the assessment. In the event of excused or unexcused student absences, make-up tests shall be given. The school superintendent of every school district in the state and the principal of each charter school shall annually certify to the State Department of Education that each student enrolled in the appropriate grade has completed the required basic skills assessment test for his or her grade in a valid test administration.
(3) * * *
The State Department of Education shall require that the entity
administering the statewide assessment testing shall notify school districts
and schools of the results of assessment instruments administered under this
section not later than the 21st day after the date the assessment instrument is
administered. The school district shall disclose to each teacher employed by
the school district the results of assessment instruments administered to
students taught by the teacher in the subject for the school year in which the
assessment instrument is administered.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.
