Standardized Testing and Reporting Program.

Existing law establishes the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (the STAR Program) pursuant to which school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education are required to administer achievement tests to each of their pupils in grades 2 to 11, inclusive. This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before April 1, 2010, to contract with an independent evaluator for evaluation of the STAR Program, as specified. The bill would require the independent evaluator to complete a report containing the findings of his or her evaluation. The Superintendent would be required to provide this evaluation to the Legislature, the Governor, and the State Board of Education on or before November 1, 2010. The bill would require an existing advisory committee to advise the Superintendent on the independent evaluation of the STAR Program, including making recommendations regarding the selection of the independent evaluator and the evaluation parameters. The bill would require the Superintendent to appoint 4 additional members to the advisory committee for these purposes. The bill would require the State Department of Education to use specified federal funds, not exceeding the amount of $150,000, for the purpose of contracting for this evaluation.