HB1607, now Act 991

■ Sponsored by Rep. Jana Della Rosa, Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, and 20 other state representatives and two senators

■ An act to limit the use of an English learner’s score on a state-mandated assessment for public school and public school district accountability purposes Key provisions

■ State test scores do not count for growth or achievement in accountability ratings for campuses and school districts for English learners enrolled in a U.S. public or private school for less than 12 months.

■ State test scores count for growth purposes only for English learners enrolled in a U.S. public or private school for between 12 and 24 months.

The bills reflect Della Rosa’s desires for changing the system, but also what she thought would receive support and what state officials agreed could be measured and would meet requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, she said.

The implementation of both bills will depend on the rules put into place by the department, Clay said.

Under the broader bill on state accountability, schools will receive credit for advancing a student who enters school two years behind and makes a year’s growth even if that student isn’t yet on grade level, she said. Della Rosa also intends for the law to encourage the growth of the highest achievers, she said.

Della Rosa said she told Commissioner of Education Johnny Key she thinks the department should implement what the Legislature has said it wants from public education.

“We have an obligation to provide an adequate education to the people of Arkansas,” Della Rosa said.