CHAPTER 84

(HB 1035)

Writing skills assessment requirement revised.

         ENTITLED, An Act to  revise the required grade levels for assessment of writing skills.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  That § 13-3-55 be amended to read as follows:

     13-3-55.   Every public school district shall annually administer the same assessment to all students in grades three to eight, inclusive, and in grade eleven. The assessment shall measure the academic progress of each student. Every public school district shall annually administer to all students in grades five and nine at least two grade levels an achievement test to assess writing skills. The assessment instruments shall be provided by the Department of Education, and the department shall determine the two grade levels to be tested. The tests shall be administered within timelines established by the Department of Education by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1- 26 starting in the spring of the 2002-2003 school year. Each state-designed test shall be correlated with the state's content standards. The South Dakota Board of Education may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to provide for administration of all assessments.

     Signed February 20, 2007

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