HR0404 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0404 LRB099 12032 NHT 34654 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Implementation of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment has been an object of contention for students, parents, teachers, and school districts in this State, as well as in other states; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, 23 states were slated to participate in PARCC, and now there are only 12 states participating; and

WHEREAS, To date, a comprehensive fiscal impact to this State and school districts regarding technology and infrastructure needs to fully implement the PARCC assessment has yet to be determined; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education submitted a capital request of $450 million last year and $126 million this year for technology infrastructure, which is a cost directly associated with the PARCC assessment; and

WHEREAS, New learning standards were adopted through the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; and

WHEREAS, Approval of any new standards and assessments, particularly those with tremendous financial and educational repercussions, should come before the entire General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, State law requires that school districts use an assessment that gauges career and college readiness; and

WHEREAS, Unlike the previous State assessment, the PARCC assessment is not inclusive of the ACT, which is a common and accepted measurement of college readiness for admissions purposes in institution of higher education across the country; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes that not complying with federal testing requirements could jeopardize close to $1.1 billion in federal funds for K through 12 education, which is unacceptable; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education entered into a contract for the PARCC assessment, which is set to expire on June 30, 2018; and

WHEREAS, State and federal law allows for other assessment options outside of the PARCC assessment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, to reevaluate its contract with PARCC in the hopes of making new recommendations on how this State can comply with State and federal law, while maintaining a rigorous and comprehensive assessment that accurately evaluates student academic needs and growth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to better communicate changes of this size, scope, and cost, particularly those pertaining to learning standards and assessments, to the General Assembly and the public before entering into the rulemaking process; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered the Governor and the State Board of Education.