1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," providing for academic standards and
6testing commission.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11section to read:

12Section 123. Academic Standards and Testing Commission.--(a)
13The State Board shall establish an Academic Standards and 
14Testing Commission to study and offer recommendations to the 
15State Board concerning the Commonwealth's academic standards and 
16assessments as provided for in this section.

17(b) (1) Not earlier than January 1, 2017, but not later
18than February 1, 2017, the State Board shall appoint the members
19of the commission, which shall include representatives of the
20State Board, the department, business, school districts, charter

1schools, cyber charter schools, regional charter schools, area
2vocational-technical schools, intermediate units, the State
3System of Higher Education, State-related universities,
4community colleges, independent colleges and universities and
5the United States Armed Forces.

6(2) The commission shall appoint a member to serve as chair
7of the commission.

8(3) After appointing the commission pursuant to paragraph
9(1), the State Board shall convene the first meeting of the
10commission by March 1, 2017. The commission shall hold future
11meetings at the call of the chair.

12(4) Members of the commission shall not receive compensation
13for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all necessary
14travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
15the performance of their duties as members of the commission.

16(5) The department shall provide administrative support,
17meeting space and any other assistance required by the
18commission to carry out its duties under this section. The
19department shall also provide the commission and the State Board
20with data, research and other information upon request by the
21commission or the State Board.

22(c)  The commission shall have the following powers and
23duties:

24(1) Review and make findings and recommendations related to
25the Commonwealth's academic standards and assessments.

26(2) Consult with and utilize experts to assist the
27commission in carrying out its duties under this section.

28(3) Hold public hearings.

29(4) Receive input from interested parties.

30(5) Review and consider academic standards and assessments

1utilized throughout the United States.

2(6) Within two (2) years after the commission's first
3meeting, issue a report of its findings and recommendations to
4the Governor, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the
5Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Education
6Committee of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
7Representatives, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the
8House of Representatives, the Education Committee of the House
9of Representatives, the Secretary of Education and the State
10Board.

11(d) Upon receipt of the report required under subsection (c)
12(6), the State Board shall consider the report and promulgate
13regulations necessary to implement the recommendations pursuant
14to the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the
15"Regulatory Review Act."

16(e) Every five (5) years following issuance of the
17commission's report under subsection (c)(6), the commission
18shall be reconstituted in accordance with subsection (b), shall
19meet and hold public hearings to review the operation of the
20Commonwealth's academic standards and assessments, shall make a
21further report and shall issue the report to the recipients
22listed in subsection (c)(6). When in receipt of a further report
23recommending changes to the Commonwealth's academic standards
24and assessments, the State Board shall consider the report and
25promulgate regulations necessary to implement the
26recommendations pursuant to the "Regulatory Review Act."

27(f) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
28shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
29the context clearly indicates otherwise:

30"Academic standards." The academic standards established

1pursuant to 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 (relating to academic
2standards and assessment).

3"Assessment." The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
4test, the Keystone Exam or another test established by the State
5Board pursuant to 22 Pa. Code § 4.51(f) (relating to State
6assessment system).

7"Commission." The Academic Standards and Testing Commission
8established under this section.

9"Department." The Department of Education of the
10Commonwealth.

11"State Board." The State Board of Education.

12Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.