Statewide Assessment Program; require the SBE to use ACT Aspire as summative assessment.
The bill also mandates the provision of a job skills assessment system that enables students to earn a nationally recognized career readiness certificate, credentialing essential workplace skills. The centralized assessment system is designed to ensure consistency across public school testing and curriculums, which is expected to enhance educational outcomes by allowing a clear measurement of student progress and readiness for future academic and career challenges. It reinforces the state's commitment to improving student performance and educational standards overall.
House Bill 198 aims to establish a comprehensive statewide assessment program in Mississippi by requiring the State Board of Education to contract with a single entity for the development and administration of ACT Aspire assessments for public school students in grades 3-10, as well as Algebra I and English II. The implementation of this program is targeted for the 2023-2024 school year, continuing the state's effort to ensure that public school students receive a standardized evaluation of their progress based on college and career readiness standards outlined by the Mississippi College and Career-Ready Standards.
A notable point of contention within the discussions surrounding HB198 relates to the prohibition against the State Board of Education contracting with entities whose curriculum and testing standards are aligned with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) without express legislative authority. This could limit flexibility in educational assessment options and raise concerns among educational stakeholders about maintaining high standards and diverse assessment methodologies. Furthermore, the bill introduces specific amendments to existing sections of the Mississippi Code, which could provoke discussion regarding the implications of enforcing a single assessment entity versus allowing for more localized educational governance.