BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1931
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Date of Hearing: March 26, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Joan Buchanan, Chair
AB 1931 (Morrell) - As Introduced: February 19, 2014
SUBJECT : Pupil assessment: Measurement of Academic
Performance and Progress: history-social science
SUMMARY : Adds a summative assessment in history-social science
as adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) in accordance
with recommendations from the Superintendent of Public
Instruction (SPI) to the subjects assessed by the Measurement of
Academic Performance and Progress (MAPP), beginning in the
2018-19 school year.
EXISTING LAW establishes the MAPP to replace the former
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program to assess
pupil performance in the following areas and grade levels:
1)English language arts and mathematics in grades 3 to 8,
inclusive, and grade 11.
2)Science in grades 5, 8, and 10, until a successor assessment
is implemented to provide for at least one assessment in each
of the following grade spans: 3 to 5, inclusive; 6 to 9,
inclusive; and 10 to 12, inclusive.
3)The California Alternative Performance Assessment (CAPA-the
alternate assessment that is administered to pupils with
significant cognitive disabilities who cannot take part in the
general statewide assessment program), in English language
arts and mathematics in grades 2 to 11, inclusive, and science
in grades 5, 8, 10, until a successor assessment is
implemented for English language arts and mathematics in
grades 3 to 8, inclusive, and grade 11; and for science in the
three grade spans described in 2) above.
4)The Early Assessment Program (EAP), which is administered in
grades 11 and 12 to assess college readiness in English and
mathematics.
Existing law also requires the SPI to submit recommendations on
expanding the MAPP to include additional assessments to the SBE,
the Legislature, and the Director of Finance no later than March
AB 1931
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1, 2016.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : The MAPP was established by AB 484 (Bonilla, Chapter
489, Statutes of 2013) to replace STAR. The transition to the
MAPP is part of the larger transition to the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS) and the Smarter Balanced assessment, which will
be aligned to the CCSS. AB 484 contemplates expansion of the
MAPP by requiring the SPI to submit recommendations to the SBE,
the Legislature, and the Director of Finance by March 1, 2016
regarding additional assessments that may be included. The SPI
is required to consult with stakeholders and to take into
consideration assessments already administered or planned, the
use of consortium-developed assessments, various item types,
computer-based testing, and a timeline for implementation.
The SPI is also required to consider additional assessments in
history-social science, technology, visual and performing arts,
and other subjects as appropriate; and to consider English
language arts, mathematics, and science assessments to augment
the currently-required assessments in those areas.
This bill deletes the assessment in history-social science from
the list of assessments that the SPI must consider and instead
requires the SPI to submit a plan to the SBE to implement a
summative assessment in history-social science that would begin
with the 2018-19 school year and requires the SBE to adopt such
an assessment. The effect of this change is to make the
summative history-social science assessment by 2018-19 a
requirement instead of being dependent on the recommendation of
the SPI.
Arguments in support. According to the author's office, civic
participation has greatly decreased, and students are not as
actively involved in state and local issues as they should be.
Our current standards are 15 years old and out of step with what
our students need. By ensuring a balanced liberal arts
education, this bill will help give students the knowledge and
skills they need for active civic engagement.
Technical amendment needed. AB 484 (Bonilla), Chapter 489,
Statutes of 2013, established the Measurement of Academic
Performance and Progress (MAPP). The CDE subsequently learned
that MAPP is a registered trademark, and cannot be used.
AB 1931
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Accordingly, the name has been changed to California Assessment
of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). To reflect this
change is statute, staff recommends that the relevant provisions
of this bill be amended to conform to the new name.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Council for the Social Studies
EdVoice
Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by : Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087