Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
COMMITTEE REPORT
May 16, 2002
S. 1246
S. Printed 5/16/02--H. [SEC 5/20/02 12:15 PM]
Read the first time May 2, 2002.
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (S. 1246) to establish a committee to study revisions in the manner in which the improvement ratings of schools under the Education Accountability Act, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. During its annual review of the ratings for school and district report cards, the Education Oversight Committee shall include an examination, to include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) the potential for the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT) to report student progress between grade level tests;
(2) providing technically valid incremental information between performance levels;
(3) the potential for using weighted and non-weighted formulas for determining individual student improvement;
(4) providing diagnostic information essential to the improvement of instruction; and
(5) the incorporation of requirements set forth with the 2001 amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
As part of this annual review of ratings, the Education Oversight Committee shall establish a task force composed of at least five members representing both educators in the State and national or regional experts in the field to aid in the review of the ratings for school and district report cards. Every effort should be made to insure that within the appointments of educators, care be given to include all geographic areas of the State.
A report of the study shall be completed by March 31, 2003, and shall be issued to the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Senate Education Committee no later than April 15, 2003.
In order to conduct this review by March 31, 2003, the State Department of Education shall work with the Education Oversight Committee to provide by December 1, 2002, the necessary information for the task force to complete their study.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
RONALD P. TOWNSEND for Committee.
TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO STUDY REVISIONS IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE IMPROVEMENT RATINGS OF SCHOOLS UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT IS DETERMINED.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) A committee of nine members is established to study and make recommendations concerning revisions to the manner in which the improvement ratings of schools under the Education Accountability Act is determined. The study of the committee shall include, but is not limited to, consideration of the following matters:
(1) revisions to consider:
(a) any significant improvement made by all students between one performance level to the next,
(b) the constant performance of students who perform consistently well from one year to the next, and
(c) students who fall one to five points of reaching the desired performance level, given that many of these same students may have been ten to twenty points short of the mark the previous year;
(2) revisions so that the improvement rating will not be determined under a weighted scheme, which disallows the consideration of individual student improvement, and revisions to avoid the requirement that in order for improvement to be calculated, the student has to move to a different performance level;
(3) adjustments to the improvement rating scale because differences are much too small between the levels at which a rating is assigned, and there is no margin for natural fluctuation. These adjustments should, therefore, include expanding the data points in the scale.
(B) The committee shall consist of nine members, three of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, three shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and three shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The committee shall meet as soon as possible after organizing and elect a chairman and such other officers as it considers necessary. The task force shall issue their report to the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Senate Education Committee no later than January 15, 2003.
(C) Task force members shall receive the usual mileage, subsistence, and per diem provided by law for members of state boards, commissions, and committees while on official business of the task force to be paid from the funds of their appointing authority. Upon issuance of their report, the task force shall be abolished.
SECTION 7. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:07 P.M.