State testing bill advances to final reading
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BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
A bill that would clarify the law that calls for a statewide system of testing for Nebraska’s elementary, middle and high school students survived some tests of its own Friday.
In the end, the bill (LB1157) garnered 31 votes to advance to final reading, but not before opponents got more chances to modify and even kill the bill.
Sen. Annette Dubas made an attempt to allow the state Board of Education to select the number of times Nebraska students could be tested in reading, math and science.
The Legislature advanced a bill (LB1157) on second reading Friday that would clarify how statewide testing would be done in Nebraska.
Voting yes (31): Adams, Aguilar, Ashford, Avery, Burling, Carlson, Chambers, Cornett, Engel, Flood, Friend, Fulton, Harms, Howard, Janssen, Johnson, Kopplin, Kruse, Langemeier, Lathrop, Lautenbaugh, McDonald, McGill, Nantkes, Pahls, Pankonin, Pirsch, Raikes, Rogert, Synowiecki, Wightman
Voting no (13): Dierks, Erdman, Fischer, Gay, Hansen, Hudkins, Karpisek, Louden, Nelson, Pedersen, Preister, Stuthman, Wallman
Present not voting (4): Christensen, Dubas, Heidemann, Schimek
Excused (1): White
She was not opposed to uniform testing, she said, but to the amount of testing to which students are subjected. It takes too much time away from classroom work, she said.
Her amendment failed, but Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial succeeded in his bid to ensure that committees of teachers from different subject areas and administrators will assist in the development of statewide tests.
Teachers who understand kids, and what they need, should be involved, he said.
Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery said the uniform statewide test would reduce the amount of time districts are spending on developing, validating and reporting on tests.
But Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber said not one superintendent or teacher he has talked to thinks uniform statewide testing is a good idea.
The bill would end Nebraska’s unique system of allowing school districts to create their own methods of testing state standards.
Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.
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Nebraska has the "gold standard" of assessment (S.T.A.R.S.)--why is the Unicameral so intent upon trashing it?
How long before the Unicameral will want to hire Bill
Callahan as the Commissioner of Education? And then what, Steve Peterson for Governor? "
Anne wrote on March 29, 2008 8:29 pm:
Why should one test fit all variables?
Just as we look for the 'right'shoe/coat... one style does not meet everyone's needs.
One state test will tell us who doesn't fit the 'right' shoe, yet, what just is the 'right' size?
"
William Ockham wrote on April 1, 2008 8:15 am: