GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 245 2015 Regular Session Henry
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
STUDENTS: Prohibits the use of state content standards, test questions, or other
methods to measure certain noncognitive skills of students
DIGEST
Abstract: Requires that state content standards and assessments reflect direct application
to subject matter proficiency and prohibits such standards and assessments from
including content or questions to measure certain noncognitive skills; provides
exceptions.
Present law provides for the development and implementation of state standards for required
subjects by the state Dept. of Education with approval by the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education (BESE). Requires standards-based assessments for required subjects
(English language arts, math, science, and social studies) to be implemented by BESE and
administered in at least grades 3-11.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides as follows relative to such standards
and assessments:
(1)Requires that state content standards and state assessments administered pursuant to
the state school and district accountability system reflect direct application to subject
matter proficiency of students.
(2)Prohibits their inclusion of content or questions to measure noncognitive, emotional,
physical, or psychological characteristics, attributes, or skills of students.
Proposed law excepts the following from the application of proposed law:
(1)Instruction and assessments conducted in physical education classes.
(2)Optional questions on college entrance exams, Advanced Placement exams,
International Baccalaureate exams, and any state assessments administered to
students in grades 7-12.
(Adds R.S. 17:24.4(K))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Delete the broad prohibition against the use of any method to measure
noncognitive, emotional, physical, or psychological characteristics, attributes, or
skills, thus limiting the prohibition to content or questions on standards-based
assessments.
2. Add exceptions to proposed law applicable to certain instruction, assessments,
and test questions.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the engrossed
bill
1. Specifies that proposed law is applicable to state assessments administered
pursuant to the state school and district accountability system.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Jeanne Johnston.