Major changes expected if new state tests enacted

Nebraska lawmakers' passage of LB1157 would change everything about the way Nebraska schools assess how well their students are learning and progressing.

Gayle Sharkey, McCook Public Schools' curriculum director, told school board members at their monthly meeting March 10 that LB 1157's passage in its final form and approval by Gov. Dave Heineman would require state tests of students' achievement.

Sharkey said state tests might be given once a school year, replacing, in McCook specifically, consortium-developed tests that are given throughout the school year and that allow teachers the opportunity to determine what, if anything, needs to be re-taught and retested. A one-time state test will eliminate the opportunity to re-teach and retest, Sharkey said.

A state test will eliminate STARS -- "School-based, Teacher-led, Assessment and Reporting System -- although the state test system will include what works from STARS. STARS will be phased out, Sharkey said, as will the peer review of each school's assessment process.

Supporters of a state test contend that it will save instructional time and broaden instruction, that it will level comparisons among schools and save money. Opponents believe that a state test will discriminate against small and/or disadvantaged school districts, and that it will narrow instruction as teachers may tend to teach only to the standards. Education money will also have to be spent to develop the state tests, Sharkey said.

Supporters believe that a state test will allow comparisons among states, while opponents point out that states will still be comparing "a patchwork" as states have different tests.

There are national standards and national tests, set by Ministries of Education, in most developed countries. Sharkey said. Other sets of standards include:

* Global standards -- To make comparisons among countries.

* Content Group Standards -- Set by organizations such as the National Council of TEachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

* Professional standards -- Written by professional organizations to establish credentials.

* 21st Century Skills Standards -- Based on content knowledge as well as the skills to deal with complex problems of today.

On Feb. 27, after discussion by the Legislature's Education Committee, LB 1157 was placed on General File, the first stage at which a bill and its amendments, if any, are considered by the full Legislature.

On March 4, LB 1157 was advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial (for review after its advancement from General File), and on March 5, was placed on Select File and discussed again by the entire Legislature. Bills on Select File may be amended, returned to committee, indefinitely postponed or advanced to Final Reading. At Final Reading, the entire bill is read (or the reading is waived) and senators, without debate, vote for or against sending the bill to the governor for his signature.

On March 17, an amendment to LB 1157 was adopted on a 29-0 vote. This amendment which would require that a school administrator and a teacher join legislators on an advisory committee; that if no statewide math assessment is administered in 2009-2010, that school districts report assessment results in the same manner as reporting was done in 2008-2009; and that the Nebraska Department of Education can determine appropriate accommodations for assessment of students with disabilities or any student receiving special education programs and services.

Legislators did not advance LB 1157 by the time they adjourned Monday. There are two pending items:

* Senator Annette Dubas filed an amendment to require the statewide assessment for reading and math to include grades 4, 6 and 8 and one grade in high school. The bill currently requires the assessments to occur in grades three through eight, and one grade in high school.

* Sen. Cap Dierks has filed a motion to indefinitely postpone (kill) the bill.

It is not known when legislators will resume second-round debate of LB 1157.