SR0483 LRB095 15306 NHT 41294 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English
3 (IMAGE) Test is administered to students with limited
4 proficiency in English to measure individual student
5 achievement relative to the Illinois Learning Standards; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Education ruled that the
7 IMAGE Test did not serve as a valid measure of assessing
8 students' abilities under federal law; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The State Board of Education has not produced an
10 acceptable replacement test to administer to students who are
11 learning English; instead, the State Board of Education
12 recently announced that the IMAGE Test will not be given in
13 2008 and that students with limited proficiency in English will
14 take the same assessment test as English-speaking students; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Discontinuing the IMAGE Test or failing to
16 implement a similar alternative examination will negatively
17 impact students, schools, and districts throughout the State;
18 assessment data may be swayed by poor test scores of students
19 who simply do not understand English, resulting in schools or
20 districts failing to meet federal standards; therefore, be it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL

 

 

SR0483 - 2 - LRB095 15306 NHT 41294 r

1 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State Board of
2 Education is urged to request a one-year extension from the
3 U.S. Department of Education so that the IMAGE Test may be
4 administered in 2008; and be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That the U.S. Department of Education is urged to
6 grant the extension to the State of Illinois, thereby ensuring
7 that the most accurate assessment of student progress is
8 obtained; and be it further
 
9     RESOLVED, That if the U.S. Department of Education grants
10 the State of Illinois an additional year to use the IMAGE Test,
11 then the State Board of Education is urged to develop an
12 alternative test for use in subsequent years that will meet
13 federal requirements; and be it further
 
14     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15 delivered to the State Board of Education and the U.S.
16 Department of Education.