Anti-PARCC test bill moves forward, pro-Cuba trade resolution approved

A school test may be waived under a bill that passed by a House committee Tuesday, while legislators moved up their schedule in light of reports of snow, sleet and freezing rain hitting the state Wednesday.

The House Education Committee voted to approve House Bill 1241 Tuesday during a meeting at the Capitol. Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said his bill would seek to end the state’s participation in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), a test that is part of the Common Core program, by the end of June 2015.

“The state board may not require the use of the PARCC assessment or participate in a PARCC-related activity or event after June 30, 2015,” the bill read.

The bill would not stop the Arkansas Department of Education from completing work on the test this year, but would set definite parameters on providing data to the group.

“Beginning June 1, 2015, neither the state board or the Department of Education shall provide access of any individually identifiable student data collected at the state level to the federal Department of Education, to any of the federal Department of Education’s designated program assistance organizations or auditors if the audit is required … without the express written consent of the parent or legal guardian of the student,” the bill noted.

The program, which seeks to gather information on test scores and curriculum, has been controversial. Supporters have said the program helps teachers and administrators understand what children are learning while opponents have said the program strips away local control of schools.

Lowery said he worked for several weeks on a plan to seek a waiver from the federal Department of Education, as well as seeking a compromise on the issue. Neither were effective, Lowery told the committee. Lowery said there has been some acrimony around the country due to the test.

Locally, Robin Finley and Tonya Shelton, with the Arkansas Guidance Counselors Association, told the committee that there has been some confusion among teachers, counselors and students alike. Lowery also attributed additional costs with only nine states participating in the program as well as results from this year’s test not being ready until October at the earliest as reasons to drop the test.

Phoebe Bailey, an official with the Southwest Arkansas Co-Op in Hope, spoke against the bill. Bailey asked the committee to allow a task force set up in the aftermath of the debate to do its work. Bailey also thanked the committee for amending the bill to set the June 30 date, instead of ending the test during the school year.

The bill now goes to the House.

COMMITTEE ACTION
A bill that would study the state’s higher education system was also approved Tuesday by the House Education Committee. The committee approved House Bill 1581, sponsored by House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia. The bill would create a 12-member legislative task force to look at the realignment of higher education in the state.

Gillam said the task force would also look at other states and how their higher education programs are set up. If approved and signed into law, the task force would study the issue through Nov. 1, 2016. From there, the task force would send a report to Gillam, Senate President Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, House Education Committee chairman Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs and Senate Education Committee chairman Jane English, R-North Little Rock.

The bill moves to the House.

The committee also approved a bill that would allow school districts to seek the same waivers that are given to open-enrollment charter schools. Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, who sponsored the bill, told the committee the bill would help districts in the Delta compete against charter schools.

The bill now goes to the House.

HOUSE AND SENATE ACTION
The House voted 52-36 Tuesday to approve a resolution in support of restoring trade relations between the United States and Cuba. House Concurrent Resolution 1006, sponsored by Rep. David Hillman, D-Almyra, would encourage the President, Congress and the state’s congressional delegation to work on the issue.

Hillman said an improved trading relationship would benefit Arkansas farmers, with new trading opportunities for cotton and rice. Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, criticized the resolution, saying trade with the Communist nation would only benefit Cuban leaders.

The House also voted 45-38 – six votes short of a majority – against a bill to submit an application for an Article V Convention of the States. Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, who sponsored the bill, told House members that the convention would push federal officials to exercise fiscal constraint. The bill was approved Friday by the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee.

A bill that would modify how a detached school district would be created was approved Tuesday in the Senate. Senators voted 20-6 to approve House Bill 1242, sponsored by Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle. The bill failed by a 49-25 vote in the House on Feb. 17. However, House members voted Feb. 23 to reconsider the bill.

According to the bill, the new district would have to come from an existing district with schools between 5,000 and 20,000 students and a 450-square-mile radius. The bill now heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk for his signature.

NEW BILLS
A bill that would study the impact that regulations have on small businesses and entrepreneurs was also filed Tuesday.

Rep. Bill Gossage, R-Ozark, turned in House Bill 1582, which would require state agencies to have quarterly meetings in each of the state’s congressional districts to talk to people about the “obstacles and challenges the government agency causes for small business and entrepreneurs.”

From there, the agency would also be required to file an annual report detailing the impact of regulations.

The bill was referred Tuesday to the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.