53E-4-303.  Utah standards assessments — Administration — Review committee.

(1)  As used in this section, “computer adaptive assessment” means an assessment that measures the range of a student’s ability by adapting to the student’s responses, selecting more difficult or less difficult questions based on the student’s responses.

Terms Used In Utah Code 53E-4-303

(2)  The state board shall:

(a)  adopt a standards assessment that:

(i)  measures a student’s proficiency in:

(A)  mathematics for students in each of grades 3 through 8;

(B)  English language arts for students in each of grades 3 through 8;

(C)  science for students in each of grades 4 through 8; and

(D)  writing for students in at least grades 5 and 8; and

(ii)  except for the writing measurement described in Subsection (2)(a)(i)(D), is a computer adaptive assessment; and

(b)  ensure that an assessment described in Subsection (2)(a) is:

(i)  a criterion referenced assessment;

(ii)  administered online;

(iii)  aligned with the core standards for Utah public schools; and

(iv)  adaptable to personalized, competency-based learning, as that term is defined in Section 53F-5-501.

(3)  A school district or charter school shall annually administer the standards assessment adopted by the state board under Subsection (2) to all students in the subjects and grade levels described in Subsection (2).

(4) 

(a)  Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), a student’s score on the standards assessment adopted under Subsection (2) may not be considered in determining:

(i)  the student’s academic grade for a course; or

(ii)  whether the student may advance to the next grade level.

(b)  A teacher may use a student’s score on the standards assessment adopted under Subsection (2) to improve the student’s academic grade for or demonstrate the student’s competency within a relevant course.

(5) 

(a)  The state board shall establish a committee consisting of 15 parents of Utah public education students to review all standards assessment questions.

(b)  The committee established in Subsection (5)(a) shall include the following parent members:

(i)  five members appointed by the chair of the state board;

(ii)  five members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives or the speaker’s designee; and

(iii)  five members appointed by the president of the Senate or the president’s designee.

(c)  The state board shall provide staff support to the parent committee.

(d)  The term of office of each member appointed in Subsection (5)(b) is four years.

(e)  The chair of the state board, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president of the Senate shall adjust the length of terms to stagger the terms of committee members so that approximately half of the committee members are appointed every two years.

(f)  No member may receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service on the committee.

Amended by Chapter 129, 2021 General Session