Legislative Briefs
Prekindergarten assessments
What it does: This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from requiring or school districts from administering certain assessments to students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade two, except for assessments administered for diagnostic purposes as required under state or federal law. It would allow for assessments required for diagnostic purposes, such as the identification of dyslexia, eligibility for special education, or other services, but it would prevent diagnostic services from including assessments related to social, emotional or behavioral development of students before first grade.
What’s new: The House Education Committee held a public hearing Feb. 4, with considerable testimony from educators, parents and mental health experts.
What’s next: The bill has not been scheduled for further consideration, but OSBA will continue to monitor it.
Teacher license suspensions for misconduct
What it does: The bill would require the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to immediately suspend the license or registration of a teacher or administrator who engaged in abuse, sexual conduct, drug or alcohol abuse, physical force on a student, sexual harassment, assault, or domestic violence. The license or registration would remain suspended until TSPC determines that the report is unsubstantiated, decides not to pursue the report, or enacts sanctions against the teacher or administrator. All school employees suspected of sexual misconduct would be placed on administrative leave until the Department of Human Services or law enforcement determined if the report was substantiated. Employees would no longer be allowed to be placed in nonsupervisory positions while waiting for the determination.
What's new: The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing Monday, Feb. 4, on the bill.
What's next: The bill has not been scheduled for further consideration, but OSBA will continue to monitor it.