HB15-1323 Summary

• Establishes new state assessment requirements beginning in 2015-16 school year, replacing the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) with assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science for grades 3-9, plus tenth-grade and college entrance exams for high school students.

• Creates pilot program allowing local education providers to develop and test alternative assessments in grades 3-11 to demonstrate validity and comparability with state assessments, with potential adoption after two phases of testing.

• Provides pencil-and-paper alternatives to computer-based assessments upon request by local education providers, and allows parents to excuse students from state assessments without negative consequences on the student or parent.

• Delays 2015-16 accreditation ratings for school districts and schools, continuing prior year plan types while excluding this transition year from consecutive five-year accountability calculations.

• Reduces appropriation by $2,369,118 to the Department of Education for the Colorado Student Assessment Program in fiscal year 2015-16 to implement the new assessment system.