Connecticut House Bill HB05992

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/15
• Refer: 1/22/15

Caption

An Act Permitting Private And Parochial Schools To Administer The Mastery Examination.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would expand educational assessment options to private and parochial schools, potentially leading to more comprehensive testing data across various school types. This change could help assess the academic performance of students in these institutions, providing parents with valuable information regarding educational standards. It may also encourage a competitive environment among schools, as private and parochial schools seek to demonstrate their educational efficacy through standardized testing.

Summary

House Bill 05992 seeks to amend Chapter 163c of the general statutes to permit private and parochial schools the ability to administer the mastery examination. This bill introduces a significant shift in educational testing by allowing non-public institutions the same testing privileges as public schools, provided they cover the associated costs. The intent of the bill is to provide more equitable assessment opportunities across different types of schools within the state education system.

Contention

Notably, the provision requiring private and parochial schools to bear the costs associated with the mastery examination could be a point of contention. Some may argue that by imposing such costs, the bill does not adequately level the playing field between public and private schools, especially if these schools are already facing financial constraints. Furthermore, discussions around the applicability and validity of standardized testing in non-public settings may arise, especially regarding the philosophy of education and varying educational approaches taken by different schools.