Bill would require increased educational accountability

The state Board of Education would establish an expanded accountability structure under a new bill discussed by the Education Committee Jan. 17.

LB870, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, would authorize the board to set performance and assessment indicators for students. The measures used under the new accountability structure would be established by the board by Aug. 1.

Schools currently are held accountable for students’ results on content area assessments. LB870 would add additional measures including student growth and improvement and graduation rates. Schools would be required to report the data annually.

Adams said the intent of the bill is to establish a broader range of benchmarks for use in measuring a school’s effectiveness.

“When we look at content scores, there are a lot of things behind that number,” he said. “This bill does not throw out what we’re already doing, but expands what we measure.”

Bob Evnen testified on behalf of the state Board of Education in support of the bill. He said focusing on incremental growth and improvement would make progress attainable for all students.

“We’re not expecting under-performing schools to bridge the gap immediately,” he said. “We want schools to stair-step to higher achievement levels.”

Andy Rikli, assistant superintendent of Westside Community Schools, testified that a school’s demographics, as well as the rigor of a school’s graduation requirements, should be considered under the new system.

“Not all school districts have the same graduation requirements,” he said. “Schools that go above and beyond should be acknowledged.”

No one testified in opposition.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.