State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Applauds Senate Ed Committee
Approval of New Era of Student Assessment
SACRAMENTO—The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson that would replace California's Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) system with new, computer-based exams designed to assess students' progress toward career and college readiness.
"I appreciate the Committee's support of this legislation, and their recognition that it's time for our tests to measure how ready students are for the challenges of a changing world," Torlakson said. "With teachers and schools across the state working hard to bring the new Common Core State Standards to life in our classrooms, we need assessments that reflect the deeper learning students are striving for—and the real-world skills they need to contribute to the future of our state."
Assembly Bill 484 (Bonilla D-Concord), would limit the use of STAR tests for the 2013-14 school year, and begin statewide use of new assessments aligned to California's Common Core State Standards in 2014-15; it would at that time completely replace the STAR program with the California Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress for the 21st Century (CalMAPP21) assessments.
The urgency legislation, which was approved last month by the state Assembly, now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
# # # #
Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100