Prohibits the administration of assessments that contain a question proposed or developed by the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers consortium or any other federally funded consortium of states
The enactment of HB 945 would significantly alter the landscape of educational assessments in Louisiana. By eliminating questions associated with PARCC and other federally funded assessment consortia, the bill aligns state assessment practices more closely with locally determined standards. This shift could lead to an assessment framework that is more reflective of Louisiana's unique educational priorities rather than federally dictated content, thereby increasing local autonomy in education.
House Bill 945 aims to prohibit the administration of standardized assessments developed by the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) or similar federally funded groups. This bill complements existing laws governing Louisiana's education system by detailing the sources from which assessment questions can be derived, particularly concerning subjects such as English language arts and mathematics. The fundamental intent behind this legislation is to ensure that state assessments reflect content that is not influenced by federal educational initiatives, potentially reducing federal oversight in state education standards.
The sentiment surrounding HB 945 appears to be mixed, reflecting broader national debates over education standards and the role of federal involvement in state education policymaking. Proponents of the bill, which include some educators and lawmakers, argue that it will foster greater independence for Louisiana's educational system and better serve local students' needs. Conversely, opponents warn that removing collaboration with established assessment frameworks could jeopardize the rigor and comparability of Louisiana's educational assessments relative to national standards.
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 945 include the potential impact on educational quality and equity. Critics of the bill express concern that isolating Louisiana's assessments from nationally recognized benchmarks might lead to a decline in educational rigor and make it more difficult to measure student performance against broader, national norms. Supporters, however, view the bill as a crucial step in reclaiming control over educational content and assessment methods, arguing that it is essential to maintain state sovereignty over local educational policies.