SENATE RESOLUTION No. 103

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 1, 1997

By Senator BARK

A Senate Resolution calling upon the Department of Education to respond to complaints received over the administration of the fourth grade test.

Whereas, The Department of Education conducted a field-test of the fourth grade Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) in May of this year; and

Whereas, In many school districts, the field-test caused major problems with respect to scheduling, test-related expenses, and the training and assignment of personnel; and

Whereas, Materials for the test were not delivered to all districts in a timely manner, and the department has acknowledged that there were technical problems with the test itself; and

Whereas, There is a major concern that the test is too long for fourth grade students, especially if additional items are added to the test in the future as planned; and

Whereas, The Department of Education should make every effort to solicit input from school districts concerning the administration of the fourth grade test and should prepare revisions based on that input; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Department of Education is called upon to respond to the complaints received over the administration of the fourth grade Elementary School Proficiency Assessment and to minimize the hardships imposed on school districts as it revises and administers the test in the next school year.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Education and to the State Board of Education.

STATEMENT

    This resolution calls upon the Department of Education to respond to the complaints received over the administration of the fourth grade Elementary School Proficiency Assessment and to minimize the hardships imposed on school districts as it revises and administers the test in the next school year.

Calls upon Department of Education to respond to complaints received over the administration of the fourth grade test.