HB 85 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for exemption from assessment.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

3577 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

362585 THE2018 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFLAWRENCE, PENNSYLVANIABARRAR, HOUSEBERNSTINE, BILLCHARLTON, SessionDIAMOND, ENGLISH, KEEFER, METCALFE, O'NEILL, ROE, TALLMAN, THOMAS AND WARD, MAY 24, 2018 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 24, 2018 AN ACT Amending the act of No.March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools;

85amending, 2018revising, INTRODUCEDconsolidating BYand LAWRENCE,changing BARRAR,the BERNSTINE,for CHARLTON,exemption DIAMOND,from WARD,Keystone ZIMMERMAN,Exams.nary TOOHILprovisions, ANDproviding SANKEY,The MAYGeneral 24,Assembly 2018,of THOMAS, AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 6, 2018 AN ACT Amending the actCommonwealth of MarchPennsylvania 10,hereby 1949enacts (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as wellfollows: to private and parochial schools;

amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, providing for exemption from Keystone Exams ASSESSMENT.

<-- The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Exemption from Keystone ExamsExams.--(a) ASSESSMENT.-- <-- (a) Within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of this section, each governing authority of a school entity shall meet and determine if the school entity shall WHETHER TO <-- ADOPT A POLICY TO excuse a student from Keystone Exam testing <-- ASSESSMENT if the student's parent or guardian submits an <-- objection based on philosophical grounds in writing to school officials.

(b) If a governing authority of a school entity fails to meet or make a determination as prescribed under subsection (a), <-- the school entity shall excuse a student from Keystone Exam <-- testing ASSESSMENT if the student's parent or guardian submits <-- an objection based on philosophical grounds in writing to school officials.

(c) If a school entity adopts a policy allowing for excusal from Keystone Exam testing ASSESSMENT based on philosophical <-- grounds under subsection (a), or if the school entity fails to meet or make a determination within the prescribed one hundred <-- eighty (180) days and the default applies under subsection (b), the following shall apply:

(1) A student shall not be given negative consequences, including,including BUT NOT LIMITED TO, the denial of a high school <-- diploma, based solely on the student's parent or guardian utilizing the provisions under subsection (a) or (b).

(2) A school entity, including,including BUT NOT LIMITED TO, the <-- administration, chief school officer, temporary professional employes and,and professional employes AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYES, <-- may not:

(3) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT A SCHOOL ENTITY, <-- INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ADMINISTRATION, CHIEF SCHOOL OFFICER, TEMPORARY PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES, PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYES, FROM COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS OR GUARDIANS REGARDING THE UTILIZATION OF THE PROVISIONS UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) WHICH ARE NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT 20180HB0085PN3625 - 2 - SUCH UTILIZATION.

"ASSESSMENT." ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

<-- (1) THE PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TEST.

(2) THE KEYSTONE EXAM.

(3) A TEST ESTABLISHED BY STATUTE OR ESTABLISHED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO COMPLY WITH:

(I) SECTION 2603-B;

(II) SECTION 2604-B;

(III) 22 PA.

CODE § 4.51 (RELATING TO STATE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM);

OR (IV) THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (PUBLIC LAW 114-95, 129 STAT.

1802).

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