SB 39: Education Testing Amendments - Utah

Amended 3/3/2025 12:03:02 → Substitute #1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This substitute bill modifies the original version by adjusting implementation dates for expanded grade ranges in state assessments and clarifying the repeal of the high school assessment section. The changes affect when students in grades 9 and 10 will begin taking mathematics, English language arts, and science assessments, shifting the transition date from 2027 to 2026.

Scope change

The bill maintains the same core scope of amending Utah education testing requirements but modifies the timeline for when expanded grade ranges become effective.

TIMELINE

Changed the transition date for expanding mathematics, English language arts, and science assessments from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2026, accelerating when grades 9 and 10 students must take these assessments.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the repeal section to explicitly state that Section 53E-4-304 (High school assessments) is repealed, replacing the previous section header format.

Added introductory text and formatting changes typical of a substitute bill, including sponsor information and page headers.

Amended 1/23/2025 09:01:665 → Amended 3/3/2025 12:03:02 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah's education testing requirements by expanding the grade range for state assessments from grades 3-8 to include grades 9-10, with a phased implementation starting July 1, 2027. It also adds an optional college readiness assessment for 10th graders and repeals the separate high school assessment requirements. These changes aim to align state testing with college and career readiness goals while reducing testing burden on high school students.

Scope change

Expanded from grades 3-8 to grades 3-10 for mathematics, English language arts, and science assessments, with writing assessment extended to include grade 10

TIMELINE

Added a phased implementation timeline where grades 3-8 testing continues until July 1, 2027, before expanding to grades 3-10

REQUIREMENT

Added optional college readiness assessment for 10th grade students

Repealed Section 53E-4-304 that required separate high school assessments

ELIGIBILITY

Extended assessment eligibility to include grades 9 and 10 for mathematics, English language arts, and science subjects

Amended Excerpts 3/3/2025 12:03:02 → Amended 1/23/2025 09:01:665 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's education testing requirements by expanding the grade range for state assessments from grades 3-8 to include grades 9 and 10, and removes the requirement to use a separate assessment for high school students. The changes apply to mathematics, English language arts, science, and writing sections of the state selected standards assessment.

Scope change

The bill expands the applicability of state assessments to include grades 9 and 10, whereas previously assessments were limited to grades 3-8 with a separate assessment required for grades 9-10.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded grade range for state assessments from grades 3-8 to include grades 9 and 10 for mathematics, English language arts, and science.

Expanded grade range for writing assessments from grade 8 to include grades 5 and 10.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement to use a different assessment for grades 9 and 10.

Added requirement that assessments must be computer adaptive, administered online, and aligned with core standards.

Established a new 15-member parent committee to review all assessment questions, with staggered four-year terms.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date for expanded grade range from July 1, 2027 to immediate implementation.

Amended Excerpts 1/23/2025 09:01:665 → Amended Excerpts 3/3/2025 12:03:02 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This amendment expands the grade range for state standardized assessments in mathematics, English language arts, and science from grades 3-8 to include grades 9-10, with a two-year transition period ending July 1, 2027. It also adds an optional college readiness assessment for grade 10 students and removes requirements to use separate assessments for grades 9-10.

Scope change

Expanded assessment scope from grades 3-8 to grades 3-10 for core subjects, with a phased implementation timeline

TIMELINE

Added a two-year transition period where grades 3-8 assessments continue until July 1, 2027, before expanding to include grades 9-10

REQUIREMENT

Added optional college readiness assessment for grade 10 students

Removed provisions requiring separate assessments for grades 9-10

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded assessment eligibility to include grades 9-10 for mathematics, English language arts, and science subjects

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 1/23/2025 09:01:665 · 3 edits

MINOR

This amendment expands the grade range for Utah's state standardized assessments in science and writing, requiring testing through 10th grade instead of 8th grade. The change affects students in grades 9 and 10 who will now be assessed in science and writing alongside younger students.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was expanded to include grades 9 and 10 for science and writing assessments, whereas it previously only covered grades 4-8 for science and grades 5 and 8 for writing.

ELIGIBILITY

Science assessment grade range changed from grades 4 through 8 to grades 4 through 10, effective after July 1, 2026.

Writing assessment grade range changed from grades 5 and 8 to include grades 5 through 10.

TIMELINE

Implementation timeline was adjusted to transition to the expanded grade range after July 1, 2026.

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MINOR

This bill expands the grade range for Utah's standardized assessments in mathematics, English language arts, science, and writing to include grades 9 and 10, with a phased implementation starting July 1, 2026. It also repeals the previous requirement for a separate high school assessment. The changes matter because they align Utah's testing requirements with the new statewide core standards and reduce testing burden on high school students.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of standardized testing from grades 3-8 (with writing in grades 5 and 8) to include grades 9 and 10 for mathematics, English language arts, and science, while maintaining writing assessments in grades 5 and 8.

TIMELINE

Grades 9 and 10 are added to mathematics, English language arts, and science assessments, with implementation phased in after July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for a separate high school assessment is removed, as the new grade range covers high school students.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for state standardized assessments now includes students in grades 9 and 10 for core subjects, expanding from the previous grade 3-8 range.

Education Testing Amendments

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