SR0483

LRB095 15306 NHT 41294 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English 
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(IMAGE) Test is administered to students with limited 
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proficiency in English to measure individual student 
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achievement relative to the Illinois Learning Standards; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Education ruled that the 
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IMAGE Test did not serve as a valid measure of assessing 
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students' abilities under federal law; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State Board of Education has not produced an 
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acceptable replacement test to administer to students who are 
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learning English; instead, the State Board of Education 
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recently announced that the IMAGE Test will not be given in 
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2008 and that students with limited proficiency in English will 
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take the same assessment test as English-speaking students; and 

 
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    WHEREAS, Discontinuing the IMAGE Test or failing to 
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implement a similar alternative examination will negatively 
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impact students, schools, and districts throughout the State; 
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assessment data may be swayed by poor test scores of students 
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who simply do not understand English, resulting in schools or 
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districts failing to meet federal standards; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
 


 






SR0483
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LRB095 15306 NHT 41294 r




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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State Board of 
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Education is urged to request a one-year extension from the 
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U.S. Department of Education so that the IMAGE Test may be 
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administered in 2008; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That the U.S. Department of Education is urged to 
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grant the extension to the State of Illinois, thereby ensuring 
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that the most accurate assessment of student progress is 
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obtained; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That if the U.S. Department of Education grants 
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the State of Illinois an additional year to use the IMAGE Test, 
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then the State Board of Education is urged to develop an 
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alternative test for use in subsequent years that will meet 
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federal requirements; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to the State Board of Education and the U.S. 
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Department of Education.