Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the public school assessment system.

Highlights:

• Requires the Commissioner of the Department of Education to implement a school assessment system to measure school performance and "student proficiency" beginning with the 2014-2015 school year (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the measures of school performance and student proficiency shall include certain assessments, including, but not limited to, the following assessments (Sec. 1):
• Summative assessments based on grade level expectations;
• Formative assessments that measure student growth over time; and
• The use of information of the state assessment program on student achievement. 

• Requires the Commissioner to convene a task force to develop a system to evaluate public school performance by no later than November 1, 2013 (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that the task force shall include representatives from certain entities and stakeholder groups, including, but not limited to, the following entities (Sec. 4):
• Department of Education;
• State Board of Education;
• Teachers;
• School Boards;
• Superintendents;
• Principals;
• Parents;
• Maine Education Policy Research Institute; and
• Students. 

• Requires the school assessment system to include certain elements, including, but not limited to, the following elements (Sec. 4):
• "Accurate measures" of student progress over at least 3 years;
• A peer group comparison that takes into account, but is not limited to, special education services and the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals; and
• Interviews about the overall school environment with parents of students, members of governing boards of school administrative units, teachers, and other education officials. 

• Prohibits the school assessment system from using a “bell curve” (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to adopt an "ought to pass" report for a bill that amends the public school assessment system.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education or another state agency that uses a system to evaluate public schools to provide an opportunity for the public and "interested parties" to provide input regarding the development of the school assessment system and convene a task force for the development and implementation of the system (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the task force shall include, but is not limited to, representatives of the following stakeholder groups (Sec. 1):
• Teachers;
• School boards;
• Superintendents;
• Parents; and
• Students. 

• Requires the assessment system to consider the following information in its evaluations (Sec. 1):
• “Accurate measures” of student progress over at least 5 years;
• Rates of postsecondary school attendance and enlistment in the United States Armed Forces over at least 5 years;
• A peer group comparison that takes into account, but is not limited to, special education services and the number of students for free or reduced-price meals;
• School attendance rates;
• Graduation rates; and
• Interviews about the overall school environment with parents of students, teachers, and other education official.

• Prohibits the system from using a “bell curve” when rating schools (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a school from being penalized because of the failure of students to take certain standardized tests (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text