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          Session of 1998
                    HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 6012           By Representative Franklin           2-17             9             A RESOLUTION requesting the state board of education to develop or
10             select a standardized assessment program for determination of student
11             proficiency in reading and mathematics skills.
12            
13           WHEREAS, The state of Kansas, schools and educators have ex-
14       pended great effort in identifying essential skills in reading and mathe-
15       matics that all students should know and be able to apply; and
16           WHEREAS, Identification of essential skills in reading and mathe-
17       matics is intended to communicate to educators, students and parents
18       what is expected of students at each grade level so that action, including
19       the provision of additional assistance in reading and mathematics, may be
20       taken to achieve these expectations; and
21           WHEREAS, In order to ascertain how well students are progressing
22       toward attainment of the identified skills in reading and mathematics, it
23       is necessary that students be assessed to determine their proficiency:
24       Now, therefore,
25           Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kan-
26       sas: That, in recognition of the facts contained in the preamble of this
27       resolution, the state board of education is hereby requested to develop
28       or select a standardized assessment program matched to the essential
29       skills in reading and mathematics that have been identified for student
30       accomplishment in order to insure that students, before advancing in
31       grade, have attained the proficiency in such skills that is necessary to
32       succeed upon encountering more advanced concepts and content areas
33       at future grade levels; and
34           Be it further resolved: That the state board of education is urged to
35       develop criteria for inclusion of pupils with disabilities and limited English
36       proficient pupils in the assessment program and to provide for the mod-
37       ifications to the administration process and the assessment instruments
38       that will make it possible for such pupils to participate in the program;
39       and
40           Be it further resolved: That the Chief Clerk of the House of Repre-
41       sentatives be directed to send enrolled copies of this resolution to the
42       State Board of Education and to the Commissioner of Education, 120
43       S.E. 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1182.
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