§ 6-15-2907 — Statewide student assessment system - Definition

(a) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall implement a statewide student assessment system to be administered by Arkansas public schools on a schedule determined by the State Board of Education that includes the following components: (1) Developmentally appropriate measurements or assessments for kindergarten through grade two (K-2) in literacy and mathematics; (2) (A) High-quality, evidence-based literacy screeners for kindergarten through grade three (K-3). (B) (i) The division shall identify the literacy screeners required under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section, which shall meet the requirements of § 6-41-603 and may be the same screener used for dyslexia screening. (ii) The literacy screeners required under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section shall be utilized to determine student progression in reading in kindergarten through grade three (K-3) and shall be: (a) Given during the first thirty (30) days of the school year; (b) Repeated, if indicated, midyear; and (c) Given at the end of the school year. (iii) The division shall collect and publish aggregated public school district, open-enrollment public charter school, and overall state literacy assessment results annually by October 1; (3) Assessments to measure English language arts, mathematics, and science as identified by the state board; (4) Assessments of English proficiency of all English learners; and (5) (A) Assessments to measure college and career readiness. (B) (i) A public school that serves a student in grades ten through twelve (10-12) shall administer college and career readiness assessments, including a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, as determined by the state board to each student before he or she graduates from high school. (ii) A career readiness assessment under subdivision (a)(5)(B)(i) of this section may include without limitation the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). (C) (i) Public school districts may offer additional college and career readiness assessments for students in grades ten through twelve (10-12) at no cost to the student by using public school district funding, including without limitation Enhanced Student Achievement Funding under § 6-20-2305 . (ii) A Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze credential through the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) shall be used by an institution of higher education as transcribable credit toward the attainment of a postsecondary technical degree. (b) At the direction of the state board, the division shall cause assessment instruments to be administered at additional grade levels as necessary to measure educational achievement in the public schools of this state. (c) The statewide student assessment system may include additional assessment options approved by the state board, including without limitation assessments to measure application of knowledge and skills in civics, government, and additional sciences, as measured on a schedule determined by the state board. (d) A public school district, at its own expense, may assess the academic achievement and growth of students by other means in addition to the required statewide student assessment system. (e) All students enrolled in a public school district shall participate in the statewide student assessment system. (f) Public school district boards of directors shall not establish school calendars that limit or interfere with student participation in the statewide student assessment system. (g) The State of Arkansas shall participate in the administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress examinations. (h) The division shall provide for statewide student assessments that are: (1) Valid and reliable; (2) Obtained or developed, as appropriate, through contracts and project agreements; (3) Aligned to the Arkansas academic standards; and (4) Scored and returned for public school and school district use by August 1 of each year. (i) (1) Public schools, school districts, and educators shall maintain assessment security and confidentiality. (2) (A) (i) The following individuals may serve as the test administrator during the administration of a statewide student assessment under this subchapter if the individual has received the training required by the division: (a) A licensed educator, including a long-term substitute teacher; (b) A retired educator; and (c) An individual employed under a waiver from licensure as a teacher of record or as an administrator. (ii) If accompanied by a test administrator as described in subdivision (i)(2)(A)(i) of this section, any employee, including a substitute teacher, may serve as a test proctor. (B) A relative or guardian of a student shall not serve as a test administrator or proctor in the same testing room as the student during the administration of an assessment under this subchapter. (C) As used in this section, "long-term substitute teacher" means an individual who holds a valid teaching license who does not have a full-time contract with a school district. (3) A violation by a public school, a public school district, or an educator of the security or confidential integrity of any test or assessment may result in action by the state board under §§ 6-17-410 and 6-17-428 or under the rules promulgated by the state board to implement this subchapter. (j) The statewide student assessment system shall not assess students' religious or political beliefs. (k) (1) The assessment scores of students attending the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts shall be sent to and included on the reports of the public school district the student attended immediately before transferring to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. (2) Copies of the assessment scores of students attending the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts shall be made available to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. (l) Public school districts shall analyze and report student performance data to students, parents, and the community, if the disclosures are not in conflict with applicable federal law and state law.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 654,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 11, eff. 3/8/2023. Amended by Act 2021, No. 319,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2021, No. 251,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2019, No. 1083,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1297, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1296, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1295, eff. 7/1/2019. Added by Act 2017, No. 930,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017.