The bill amends sections 3301.079 and 3301.0715 of the Revised Code to update the assessment framework for students in grades kindergarten through three. It mandates the adoption of end-of-year nationally norm-referenced assessments for grades one and two, and a beginning-of-year assessment for grade three, all aligned with academic standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. The assessments are designed to measure student comprehension and mastery of skills while adhering to the science of reading. The bill also introduces new definitions for terms related to the assessments and specifies that school districts must administer these assessments starting in the first school year following their approval, removing previous provisions that allowed for discretion in assessment administration.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the results of the kindergarten readiness assessment cannot be used to deny a student's enrollment in kindergarten and requires districts to provide assessment results to parents and relevant departments. It allows chartered nonpublic schools to administer the kindergarten readiness assessment and mandates data sharing with educational and youth departments. The bill establishes intervention services for students who do not meet academic standards based on assessment results and requires districts with low proficiency rates in third-grade English language arts to create a reading improvement plan. Additionally, it repeals existing sections of the Revised Code related to these assessments.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3301.079, 3301.0715