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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 17, 2015 12:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Karen Boback |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Keystone Exams and PSSA Scores - Delay in Utilization |
| PA’s new academic standards - the PA Core Standards - were adopted in the spring of 2014 with the intention of helping our students be even more prepared for college or the workforce upon graduation from high school. I fully support this intent, but for these new standards to work effectively they must be implemented appropriately and without unintended, punitive consequences for our public schools, students, parents, and educators. Therefore, I will be introducing legislation that will delay the utilization of the Keystone Exams and the PSSA for high-stakes decisions such as high school graduation, educator effectiveness, and school performance until the 2018-2019 school year. I believe the additional time is essential for our school districts to fully transition to the new academic standards, and the legislation will provide much-needed clarity at a time when there has been ongoing confusion and differing messages coming from the PA Department of Education regarding the use of these exams. I support the efforts of many of my colleagues in both the House and Senate that have sought a delay in the use of the Keystone Exams for high school graduation. I also believe, however, that the utilization of the PSSAs should be delayed as well in order to give our school districts time to align curriculum, instructional materials, and professional development to the PA Core standards – a significant challenge to do within one year even under the best of circumstances. Strong accountability for our public schools is critically important, but it is also critically important that it be fair, appropriate, and effective – and without causing unintended harm to our students and educators. Providing our schools an additional two years to align instructional support and fully transition to the new PA Core Standards is the right thing to do. Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation that ensures fair and appropriate accountability for our public schools, students, and educators across the Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB1790