H.R.1711 Flexibility in Assessments for Individuals Reform Act of 2007

Title: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve certain accountability and assessment provisions.
Sponsor: Rep Hooley, Darlene [2] [D-OR-5] (introduced 3/27/2007)      Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 6/27/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Highlights: Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to alter requirements regarding state assessments of whether students are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward academic achievement standards by allowing states to: (1) track AYP on a longitudinal basis; (2) permit disabled students and students for religious reasons to opt out of the assessments; (3) reschedule assessments for students who for specified reasons cannot attend scheduled assessments; and (4) count disabled students who graduate from secondary school within reasonable periods of time in favorable AYP graduation rates. Includes students in the limited-English proficient subgroup for three school years after they attain English proficiency, when determining whether the subgroup has made AYP. Requires limited-English proficient students to be included in English proficiency assessments if they have attended U.S. schools for more than five consecutive years. (Currently, they are subject to such assessments after attending U.S. schools for three or more consecutive years.)

ASPIRA Policy Position

ASPIRA opposes flexibility in assessing limited English proficient students to determine school Adequate Yearly Progress. (See above)