Changes to Existing Law

Every public school district shall annually administer the same assessment tests in algebra I, biology, and English III to all students in grades three to eight, inclusive, and in grade eleven. Tests in English language arts and mathematics shall be administered to all students in grades three to eight, inclusive. Tests in science shall be administered to students once in grades three to five and once in grades six to eight. The same tests shall be administered to all students, except students with the most severe cognitive disabilities. The assessment tests shall measure9 the academic progress of each student. Every public school district shall annually administer to all students in at least two grade levels an achievement test to assess writing skills. The assessment instruments shall be provided by the Department of Education, and the department shall determine the two grade levels to be tested. The tests shall be administered within timelines established by the Department of Education by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26 starting in the spring of the 2002-2003 school year. Each state-designed test shall be15 100 copies were printed on recycled paper by the South DakotaLegislative Research Council at a cost of $.167 per page.v Insertions into existing statutes are indicated by underscores.Deletions from existing statutes are indicated by overstrikes. - 2 -SB correlated with the state's content standards. The South Dakota Board of Education Standards may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to provide for administration of all assessments. The Department of Education shall provide the tests to every public school district at no cost.3