Provides relative to access by parents and teachers to assessments administered to students
Impact
The legislation modifies existing statutes regarding educational assessments by granting parents the right to review assessments administered to their children, which was not uniformly enforced before. The bill also introduces a structured review period after assessments are distributed to parents, ensuring they have adequate time to understand their child's performance. By requiring local school boards to establish rules, the bill fosters a standardized approach to handling assessment results across various districts, enhancing the overall educational oversight within public schools in Louisiana.
Summary
House Bill 648 aims to enhance parental and teacher access to assessments administered in public schools. Specifically, it mandates that parents and teachers have the right to review student assessment results. The bill establishes protocols that ensure parents can access their child's assessment results, allowing them to understand their child's educational performance better. Additionally, the bill requires schools to adopt policies for teachers to access assessment results related to the subjects they have taught. This increased transparency is designed to improve communication between educators and parents concerning students' academic achievements.
Sentiment
The sentiment around HB 648 appears to be largely supportive among parents and educators who value increased transparency and accountability in student assessments. Proponents argue that allowing parents to review assessments bolsters the educational partnership between parents and schools, ultimately benefiting student success. However, some concerns have emerged regarding potential misuse of assessment content during reviews. The penalties for violations—up to $10,000 for unauthorized copying—highlight the delicate balance between access to information and the security of assessment materials.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the potential for parents to misuse the access given to them through this legislation, leading to focused criticism on the heavy penalties imposed for violations. Critics argue that while parent involvement is essential, the risk of jeopardizing the integrity of the assessments must be carefully considered. Additionally, ensuring that all school districts comply with the new mandates may pose challenges, particularly in areas with fewer resources or inconsistent governance, raising questions about equitable implementation across the state.
Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate rules relative to teacher and parental access to and review of student assessments
Provides relative to the development, review, and adoption of state content standards and related assessments for public school students (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Requires teachers in all public schools and in nonpublic schools participating in the voucher program to take the state assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards prior to administering such assessments to students
Requires public school governing authorities and public schools to post on their websites laws pertaining to parental access to instructional materials and the Parents' Bill of Rights (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)
Prohibits healthcare entities from interfering with a patient's right to choose to obtain a clinician-administered drug from their provider or pharmacy of choice.