Progress measurement for schools passed

A bill that creates an educational accountability system based on student progress, in addition to universal benchmarks, was passed by the Legislature April 2.

LB870, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, broadens the criteria used to assess a school’s effectiveness.

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

The bill:
• makes data collected by the statewide accountability system available to all citizens;
• requires that all probationary teachers — regardless of school classification — be evaluated once per semester; and
• provides stronger authorization to the state Department of Education to create and support career academies.

The accountability system will be implemented for the 2013-14 school year.

Senators passed the bill on a 46-0 vote.