DE SB229

Allows students with four specified severe disabilities (Moderate Intellectual Disability, Severe Intellectual Disability, Autism with moderate/severe intellectual functioning, or Multiple Disabilities with moderate/severe intellectual functioning) to use portfolio assessments instead of standardized tests if parents, IEP team, and school leadership agree the student cannot produce valid test results.

Portfolio assessments must be based on work samples, projects, and portfolios that measure student performance against state standards and IEP goals, with evaluation procedures and academic progress metrics to be established by the Department of Education within 90 days.

Only parents may request portfolio assessments, which must be approved or denied by the IEP team and school district superintendent/charter school leader within 60 days of request; schools and districts cannot advocate that parents exercise this option.

Requires IEPs for students not reading by age seven to specify evidence-based reading interventions being provided and include extended year summer services unless the IEP explains why such services are inappropriate.

Appropriates $500,000 beginning July 1, 2015 for regional evidence-based summer reading instruction for students not beginning to read by age seven, subject to reappropriation by a subsequent General Assembly.