A.B. 318

 

Assembly Bill No. 318–Committee on Education

 

(On Behalf of Assemblyman Williams)

 

March 9, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Education

 

SUMMARY—Provides exemption for pupils from high school proficiency examination. (BDR 34‑1301)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: No.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to education; requiring the boards of trustees of school districts and the governing bodies of charter schools to exempt pupils from taking the high school proficiency examination upon the request of a parent or guardian; requiring the state board of education to prescribe alternative criteria for the evaluation of pupils who are exempt from the examination for receipt of a high school diploma; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. NRS 385.347 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-2    385.347  1.  The board of trustees of each school district in this state,

1-3  in cooperation with associations recognized by the state board as

1-4  representing licensed personnel in education in the district, shall adopt a

1-5  program providing for the accountability of the school district to the

1-6  residents of the district and to the state board for the quality of the schools

1-7  and the educational achievement of the pupils in the district, including,

1-8  without limitation, pupils enrolled in charter schools in the school district.

1-9    2.  The board of trustees of each school district shall, on or before

1-10  March 31 of each year, report to the residents of the district concerning:

1-11    (a) The educational goals and objectives of the school district.

1-12    (b) Pupil achievement for grades 4, 8, 10 and 11 for each school in the

1-13  district and the district as a whole, including, without limitation, each

1-14  charter school in the district.

1-15  Unless otherwise directed by the department, the board of trustees of the

1-16  district shall base its report on the results of the examinations administered

1-17  pursuant to NRS 389.015 and shall compare the results of those

1-18  examinations for the current school year with those of previous school


2-1  years. The report must include, for each school in the district, including,

2-2  without limitation, each charter school in the district, and each grade in

2-3  which the examinations were administered:

2-4       (1) The number of pupils who took the examinations;

2-5       (2) An explanation of instances in which a school was exempt from

2-6  administering or a pupil was exempt from taking an examination; and

2-7       (3) A record of attendance for the period in which the examinations

2-8  were administered, including an explanation of any difference in the

2-9  number of pupils who took the examinations and the number of pupils who

2-10  are enrolled in the school.

2-11  In addition, the board shall also report the results of other examinations of

2-12  pupil achievement administered to pupils in the school district in grades

2-13  other than 4, 8, 10 and 11. The results of these examinations for the current

2-14  school year must be compared with those of previous school years.

2-15    (c) The ratio of pupils to teachers in kindergarten and at each grade

2-16  level for each elementary school in the district and the district as a whole,

2-17  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, the

2-18  average class size for each required course of study for each secondary

2-19  school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

2-20  limitation, each charter school in the district, and other data concerning

2-21  licensed and unlicensed employees of the school district.

2-22    (d) The percentage of classes taught by teachers who have been

2-23  assigned to teach English, mathematics, science or social studies but do not

2-24  possess a license with an endorsement to teach in that subject area, for each

2-25  school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

2-26  limitation, each charter school in the district.

2-27    (e) The total expenditure per pupil for each school in the district and the

2-28  district as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

2-29  district.

2-30    (f) The curriculum used by the school district, including:

2-31      (1) Any special programs for pupils at an individual school; and

2-32      (2) The curriculum used by each charter school in the district.

2-33    (g) Records of the attendance and truancy of pupils in all grades,

2-34  including, without limitation, the average daily attendance of pupils, for

2-35  each school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

2-36  limitation, each charter school in the district.

2-37    (h) The annual rate of pupils who drop out of school in grades 9 to 12,

2-38  inclusive, for each such grade, for each school in the district and for the

2-39  district as a whole, excluding pupils who:

2-40      (1) Provide proof to the school district of successful completion of

2-41  the examinations of general educational development.

2-42      (2) Are enrolled in courses that are approved by the department as

2-43  meeting the requirements for an adult standard diploma.

2-44      (3) Withdraw from school to attend another school.

2-45    (i) Records of attendance of teachers who provide instruction, for each

2-46  school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

2-47  limitation, each charter school in the district.


3-1    (j) Efforts made by the school district and by each school in the district,

3-2  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district, to

3-3  increase:

3-4       (1) Communication with the parents of pupils in the district; and

3-5       (2) The participation of parents in the educational process and

3-6  activities relating to the school district and each school, including, without

3-7  limitation, the existence of parent organizations and school advisory

3-8  committees.

3-9    (k) Records of incidents involving weapons or violence for each school

3-10  in the district, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

3-11  district.

3-12    (l) Records of incidents involving the use or possession of alcoholic

3-13  beverages or controlled substances for each school in the district,

3-14  including, without limitation, each charter school in the district.

3-15    (m) Records of the suspension and expulsion of pupils required or

3-16  authorized pursuant to NRS 392.466 and 392.467.

3-17    (n) The number of pupils who are deemed habitual disciplinary

3-18  problems pursuant to NRS 392.4655, for each school in the district and the

3-19  district as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

3-20  district.

3-21    (o) The number of pupils in each grade who are retained in the same

3-22  grade pursuant to NRS 392.125, for each school in the district and the

3-23  district as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

3-24  district.  

3-25    (p) The transiency rate of pupils for each school in the district and the

3-26  district as a whole, including, without limitation, each charter school in the

3-27  district. For the purposes of this paragraph, a pupil is not transient if he is

3-28  transferred to a different school within the school district as a result of a

3-29  change in the zone of attendance by the board of trustees of the school

3-30  district pursuant to NRS 388.040.

3-31    (q) Each source of funding for the school district.

3-32    (r) The amount and sources of money received for remedial education

3-33  for each school in the district and the district as a whole, including, without

3-34  limitation, each charter school in the district.

3-35    (s) For each high school in the district, including, without limitation,

3-36  each charter school in the district, the percentage of pupils who graduated

3-37  from that high school or charter school in the immediately preceding year

3-38  and enrolled in remedial courses in reading, writing or mathematics at a

3-39  university or community college within the University and Community

3-40  College System of Nevada.

3-41    (t) The technological facilities and equipment available at each school,

3-42  including, without limitation, each charter school, and the district’s plan to

3-43  incorporate educational technology at each school.

3-44    (u) For each school in the district and the district as a whole, including,

3-45  without limitation, each charter school in the district, the number and

3-46  percentage of pupils who graduate with:

3-47      (1) A standard high school diploma.

3-48      (2) An adjusted diploma.

3-49      (3) A certificate of attendance.


4-1    (v) For each school in the district and the district as a whole, including,

4-2  without limitation, each charter school in the district, the number and

4-3  percentage of pupils who did not receive a high school diploma because the

4-4  pupils failed to pass the high school proficiency examination[.] or failed to

4-5  satisfy the alternative criteria for receipt of a high school diploma

4-6  prescribed by the state board pursuant to subsection 10 of NRS 389.015.

4-7    (w) The number of habitual truants who are reported to a school police

4-8  officer or law enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection

4-9  2 of NRS 392.144 and the number of habitual truants who are referred to

4-10  an advisory board to review school attendance pursuant to paragraph (b) of

4-11  subsection 2 of NRS 392.144, for each school in the district and for the

4-12  district as a whole.

4-13    (x) Such other information as is directed by the superintendent of public

4-14  instruction.

4-15    3.  The records of attendance maintained by a school for purposes of

4-16  paragraph (i) of subsection 2 must include the number of teachers who are

4-17  in attendance at school and the number of teachers who are absent from

4-18  school. A teacher shall be deemed in attendance if the teacher is excused

4-19  from being present in the classroom by the school in which he is employed

4-20  for one of the following reasons:

4-21    (a) Acquisition of knowledge or skills relating to the professional

4-22  development of the teacher; or

4-23    (b) Assignment of the teacher to perform duties for cocurricular or

4-24  extracurricular activities of pupils.

4-25    4.  The superintendent of public instruction shall:

4-26    (a) Prescribe forms for the reports required pursuant to subsection 2 and

4-27  provide the forms to the respective school districts.

4-28    (b) Provide statistical information and technical assistance to the school

4-29  districts to ensure that the reports provide comparable information with

4-30  respect to each school in each district and among the districts.

4-31    (c) Consult with a representative of the:

4-32      (1) Nevada State Education Association;

4-33      (2) Nevada Association of School Boards;

4-34      (3) Nevada Association of School Administrators;

4-35      (4) Nevada Parent Teachers Association;

4-36      (5) Budget division of the department of administration; and

4-37      (6) Legislative counsel bureau,

4-38  concerning the program and consider any advice or recommendations

4-39  submitted by the representatives with respect to the program.

4-40    5.  The superintendent of public instruction may consult with

4-41  representatives of parent groups other than the Nevada Parent Teachers

4-42  Association concerning the program and consider any advice or

4-43  recommendations submitted by the representatives with respect to the

4-44  program.

4-45    6.  On or before April 15 of each year, the board of trustees of each

4-46  school district shall submit to each advisory board to review school

4-47  attendance created in the county pursuant to NRS 392.126 the information

4-48  required in paragraph (g) of subsection 2.

 


5-1    Sec. 2.  NRS 385.389 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-2    385.389  1.  The department shall adopt programs of remedial study

5-3  for each subject tested on the examinations administered pursuant to NRS

5-4  389.015. In adopting these programs of remedial study, the department

5-5  shall consider the recommendations submitted by the committee pursuant

5-6  to NRS 218.5354 and programs of remedial study that have proven to be

5-7  successful in improving the academic achievement of pupils.

5-8    2.  A school that receives a designation as demonstrating need for

5-9  improvement pursuant to NRS 385.367 shall adopt a program of remedial

5-10  study that has been adopted by the department pursuant to subsection 1.

5-11    3.  A school district that includes a school which receives a designation

5-12  of demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to NRS 385.367 shall

5-13  ensure that each of the pupils enrolled in the school who failed to

5-14  demonstrate at least adequate achievement on the examinations

5-15  administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 completes, in accordance with the

5-16  requirements set forth in subsection [5] 6 of NRS 389.015, remedial study

5-17  that is determined to be appropriate for the pupil.

5-18    Sec. 3. NRS 389.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-19    389.015  1.  The board of trustees of each school district shall

5-20  administer examinations in all public schools of the school district. The

5-21  governing body of a charter school shall administer the same examinations

5-22  in the charter school. The examinations administered by the board of

5-23  trustees and governing body must determine the achievement and

5-24  proficiency of pupils in:

5-25    (a) Reading;

5-26    (b) Writing;

5-27    (c) Mathematics; and

5-28    (d) Science.

5-29    2.  The examinations required by subsection 1 must be:

5-30    (a) Administered before the completion of grades 4, 8, 10 and 11.

5-31    (b) Administered in each school district and each charter school at the

5-32  same time. The time for the administration of the examinations must be

5-33  prescribed by the state board.

5-34    (c) Administered in each school in accordance with uniform procedures

5-35  adopted by the state board. The department shall monitor the compliance of

5-36  school districts and individual schools with the uniform procedures.

5-37    (d) Scored by the department or a single private entity that has

5-38  contracted with the state board to score the examinations. If a private entity

5-39  scores the examinations, it shall report the results of the examinations in

5-40  the form and by the date required by the department.

5-41    3.  At least 21 school days before the commencement of the

5-42  administration of the high school proficiency examination, the board of

5-43  trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter

5-44  school that provides instruction to pupils enrolled in a grade level that is

5-45  required to take the examination, shall provide written notice to the

5-46  parent or legal guardian of each pupil enrolled in a public high school of

5-47  the school district or the charter school, as applicable, who is required to

5-48  take the high school proficiency examination of the date scheduled for

5-49  the administration of the examination and the provisions of this


6-1  subsection. A parent or legal guardian of a pupil who would otherwise be

6-2  required to take the high school proficiency examination may submit a

6-3  written request to the board of trustees of the school district in which the

6-4  pupil is enrolled or the governing body of the charter school in which the

6-5  pupil is enrolled requesting that the board of trustees or the governing

6-6  body exempt the pupil from taking the high school proficiency

6-7  examination. The written request must be submitted at least 5 school

6-8  days before the commencement of the administration of the examination

6-9  and include a signed statement indicating that the parent or legal

6-10  guardian understands and accepts full responsibility for the

6-11  consequences that may result if his child does not take the examination,

6-12  including, without limitation, ineligibility for scholarships that may

6-13  require passing scores on the high school proficiency examination. Upon

6-14  receipt of a timely and properly signed request, the board of trustees or

6-15  the governing body shall exempt the pupil from taking the high school

6-16  proficiency examination. Such an exemption must be granted for all

6-17  subject areas tested on the high school proficiency examination and may

6-18  not be granted for a particular subject area tested on the examination. If

6-19  a parent or legal guardian subsequently requests that his child take the

6-20  high school proficiency examination when the examination is regularly

6-21  administered during the school year, the board of trustees or governing

6-22  body shall grant such a request. A pupil who is exempt pursuant to this

6-23  subsection:

6-24    (a) Must not receive a high school diploma unless he satisfies the

6-25  alternative criteria for evaluation prescribed by the state board pursuant

6-26  to subsection 10, except that he may receive a certificate of attendance in

6-27  place of a diploma if he has reached the age of 17 years;

6-28    (b) Is not exempt from satisfying other requirements for receipt of a

6-29  high school diploma, including, without limitation, the minimum days of

6-30  attendance prescribed by the board of trustees pursuant to NRS 392.122;

6-31    (c) Is not exempt from other examinations that are administered in

6-32  the public schools, including, without limitation, the examinations of

6-33  achievement and proficiency administered pursuant to NRS 389.550; and

6-34    (d) Must not be included in the count of pupils who are required to

6-35  take the achievement and proficiency examinations for purposes of the

6-36  accountability of public schools set forth in NRS 385.3455 to 385.391,

6-37  inclusive. However, he must be included in the count of pupils for all

6-38  other purposes of accountability, including, without limitation, the

6-39  average daily attendance of pupils.

6-40    4.  Not more than 14 working days after the results of the examinations

6-41  are reported to the department by a private entity that scored the

6-42  examinations or the department completes the scoring of the examinations,

6-43  the superintendent of public instruction shall certify that the results of the

6-44  examinations have been transmitted to each school district and each charter

6-45  school. Not more than 10 working days after a school district receives the

6-46  results of the examinations, the superintendent of schools of each school

6-47  district shall certify that the results of the examinations have been

6-48  transmitted to each school within the school district. Except as otherwise

6-49  provided in this subsection, not more than 15 working days after each


7-1  school receives the results of the examinations, the principal of each school

7-2  and the governing body of each charter school shall certify that the results

7-3  for each pupil have been provided to the parent or legal guardian of the

7-4  pupil:

7-5    (a) During a conference between the teacher of the pupil or

7-6  administrator of the school and the parent or legal guardian of the pupil; or

7-7    (b) By mailing the results of the examinations to the last known address

7-8  of the parent or legal guardian of the pupil.

7-9  If a pupil fails the high school proficiency examination, the school shall

7-10  notify the pupil and the parents or legal guardian of the pupil as soon as

7-11  practicable but not later than 15 working days after the school receives the

7-12  results of the examination.

7-13    [4.] 5.  Different standards of proficiency may be adopted for pupils

7-14  with diagnosed learning disabilities. If a pupil with a disability is unable to

7-15  take an examination created by a private entity under regular testing

7-16  conditions or with modifications and accommodations that are approved by

7-17  the private entity, the pupil may take the examination with modifications

7-18  and accommodations that are approved by the state board pursuant to

7-19  subsection [8.] 9. If a pupil with a disability is unable to take an

7-20  examination created by the department under regular testing conditions or

7-21  with modifications and accommodations that are approved by the

7-22  department, the pupil may take the examination with modifications and

7-23  accommodations that are approved by the state board pursuant to

7-24  subsection [8.] 9. The results of an examination that is taken under

7-25  conditions that are not approved by a private entity or the department, as

7-26  applicable, must not be reported pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 389.017.

7-27  If different standards of proficiency are adopted or other modifications or

7-28  accommodations are made in the administration of the examinations for a

7-29  pupil who is enrolled in a program of special education pursuant to NRS

7-30  388.440 to 388.520, inclusive, other than a gifted and talented pupil, the

7-31  different standards adopted or other modifications or accommodations

7-32  must be set forth in the pupil’s program of special education developed in

7-33  accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.

7-34  §§ 1400 et seq., and the standards prescribed by the state board. During the

7-35  administration of the high school proficiency examination, a pupil with a

7-36  disability may be given additional time to complete the examination if the

7-37  additional time is a modification or accommodation that is approved in the

7-38  pupil’s program of special education developed in accordance with the

7-39  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq.

7-40    [5.] 6.  Ifa pupil fails to demonstrate at least adequate achievement on

7-41  the examination administered before the completion of grade 4, 8 or 10, he

7-42  may be promoted to the next higher grade, but the results of his

7-43  examination must be evaluated to determine what remedial study is

7-44  appropriate. If such a pupil is enrolled at a school that has been designated

7-45  as demonstrating need for improvement pursuant to NRS 385.367 the pupil

7-46  must, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this subsection,

7-47  complete remedial study that is determined to be appropriate for the pupil.

7-48    [6.  If]


8-1    7.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if a pupil fails to pass

8-2  the proficiency examination administered before the completion of grade

8-3  11, he must not be graduated until he is able, through remedial study, to

8-4  pass the proficiency examination, but he may be given a certificate of

8-5  attendance, in place of a diploma, if he has reached the age of 17 years.

8-6    [7.] 8.  The state board shall prescribe standard examinations of

8-7  achievement and proficiency to be administered pursuant to subsection 1.

8-8  The examinations on reading, mathematics and science prescribed for

8-9  grades 4, 8 and 10 must be selected from examinations created by private

8-10  entities and administered to a national reference group, and must allow for

8-11  a comparison of the achievement and proficiency of pupils in grades 4, 8

8-12  and 10 in this state to that of a national reference group of pupils in grades

8-13  4, 8 and 10. The questions contained in the examinations and the approved

8-14  answers used for grading them are confidential, and disclosure is unlawful

8-15  except:

8-16    (a) To the extent necessary for administering and evaluating the

8-17  examinations.

8-18    (b) That a disclosure may be made to a:

8-19      (1) State officer who is a member of the executive or legislative

8-20  branch to the extent that it is necessary for the performance of his duties;

8-21      (2) Superintendent of schools of a school district to the extent that it

8-22  is necessary for the performance of his duties;

8-23      (3) Director of curriculum of a school district to the extent that it is

8-24  necessary for the performance of his duties; and

8-25      (4) Director of testing of a school district to the extent that it is

8-26  necessary for the performance of his duties.

8-27    (c) That specific questions and answers may be disclosed if the

8-28  superintendent of public instruction determines that the content of the

8-29  questions and answers is not being used in a current examination and

8-30  making the content available to the public poses no threat to the security of

8-31  the current examination process.

8-32    [8.] 9.  The state board shall prescribe, in accordance with the

8-33  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., the

8-34  modifications and accommodations that may be used in the administration

8-35  of an examination to a pupil with a disability who is unable to take the

8-36  examination under regular testing conditions or with modifications and

8-37  accommodations that are approved by the private entity that created the

8-38  examination or, if the department created the examination, by the

8-39  department. These regulations may include, without limitation, authorizing

8-40  a pupil to complete an examination with additional time.

8-41    10.  The state board shall prescribe alternative criteria for the

8-42  evaluation of pupils who are exempt from taking the high school

8-43  proficiency examination pursuant to subsection 3. The criteria must set

8-44  forth standards that a pupil must satisfy to receive a high school diploma

8-45  that are commensurate with an evaluation of the academic skills of a

8-46  pupil based upon his results on the high school proficiency examination.

8-47  The criteria may include, without limitation, an evaluation of a portfolio

8-48  of a pupil’s work during the school year. The criteria must not require a


9-1  pupil to take another examination in place of the examination from

9-2  which he is exempt.

9-3    Sec. 4.  NRS 389.017 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-4    389.017  1.  The state board shall prescribe regulations requiring that

9-5  each board of trustees of a school district and each governing body of a

9-6  charter school submit to the superintendent of public instruction and the

9-7  department, in the form and manner prescribed by the superintendent, the

9-8  results of achievement and proficiency examinations given in [the 4th, 8th,

9-9  10th and 11th] grades 4, 8, 10 and 11 to public school pupils of the district

9-10  and charter schools. The state board shall not include in the regulations any

9-11  provision which would violate the confidentiality of the test scores of any

9-12  individual pupil.

9-13    2.  The results of examinations must be reported for each school,

9-14  including, without limitation, each charter school, school district and this

9-15  state as follows:

9-16    (a) The average score, as defined by the department, of pupils who took

9-17  the examinations under regular testing conditions; and

9-18    (b) The average score, as defined by the department, of pupils who took

9-19  the examinations with modifications or accommodations approved by the

9-20  private entity that created the examination or, if the department created the

9-21  examination, the department, if such reporting does not violate the

9-22  confidentiality of the test scores of any individual pupil.

9-23    3.  The department shall adopt regulations prescribing the requirements

9-24  for reporting the scores of pupils who:

9-25    (a) Took the examinations under conditions that were not approved by

9-26  the private entity that created the examination or, if the department created

9-27  the examination, by the department;

9-28    (b) Are enrolled in special schools for children with disabilities;

9-29    (c) Are enrolled in an alternative program for the education of pupils at

9-30  risk of dropping out of high school; or

9-31    (d) Are detained in a:

9-32      (1) Youth training center;

9-33      (2) Youth center;

9-34      (3) Juvenile forestry camp;

9-35      (4) Detention home;

9-36      (5) Youth camp;

9-37      (6) Juvenile correctional institution; or

9-38      (7) Correctional institution.

9-39  The scores reported pursuant to this subsection must not be included in the

9-40  average scores reported pursuant to subsection 2.

9-41    4.  Not later than 10 days after the department receives the results of

9-42  the achievement and proficiency examinations, the department shall

9-43  transmit a copy of the results of the examinations administered pursuant to

9-44  NRS 389.015 to the legislative bureau of educational accountability and

9-45  program evaluation in a manner that does not violate the confidentiality of

9-46  the test scores of any individual pupil.

9-47    5.  On or before November 1 of each year, each school district and each

9-48  charter school shall report to the department the following information for


10-1  each examination administered in the public schools in the school district

10-2  or charter school:

10-3    (a) The examination administered;

10-4    (b) The grade level or levels of pupils to whom the examination was

10-5  administered;

10-6    (c) The costs incurred by the school district or charter school in

10-7  administering each examination; and

10-8    (d) The purpose, if any, for which the results of the examination are

10-9  used by the school district or charter school.

10-10  On or before December 1 of each year, the department shall transmit to the

10-11  budget division of the department of administration and the fiscal analysis

10-12  division of the legislative counsel bureau the information submitted to the

10-13  department pursuant to this subsection.

10-14  6.  The superintendent of schools of each school district and the

10-15  governing body of each charter school shall certify that the number of

10-16  pupils who took the examinations required pursuant to NRS 389.015 is

10-17  equal to the number of pupils who are enrolled in each school in the school

10-18  district or in the charter school who are required to take the examinations

10-19  except for those pupils who are exempt from taking the examinations. A

10-20  pupil [may be] is exempt from taking the examinations if:

10-21  (a) His primary language is not English and his proficiency in the

10-22  English language is below the level that the state board determines is

10-23  proficient, as measured by an assessment of proficiency in the English

10-24  language prescribed by the state board pursuant to subsection 8; [or]

10-25  (b) He is enrolled in a program of special education pursuant to NRS

10-26  388.440 to 388.520, inclusive, and his program of special education

10-27  specifies that he is exempt from taking the examinations[.] ; or

10-28  (c) His parent or legal guardian has submitted a written request for an

10-29  exemption pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 389.015.

10-30  7.  In addition to the information required by subsection 5, the

10-31  superintendent of public instruction shall:

10-32  (a) Report the number of pupils who were not exempt from taking the

10-33  examinations but were absent from school on the day that the examinations

10-34  were administered; and

10-35  (b) Reconcile the number of pupils who were required to take the

10-36  examinations with the number of pupils who were exempt from taking the

10-37  examinations or absent from school on the day that the examinations were

10-38  administered.

10-39  8.  The state board shall prescribe an assessment of proficiency in the

10-40  English language for pupils whose primary language is not English to

10-41  determine which pupils are exempt from the examinations pursuant to

10-42  paragraph (a) of subsection 6.

10-43  Sec. 5.  The state board of education shall prescribe alternative criteria

10-44  for the evaluation of pupils who are exempt from taking the high school

10-45  proficiency examination in accordance with subsection 10 of section 3 of

10-46  this act on or before February 1, 2002, for applicability commencing with

10-47  the 2002-2003 school year.

10-48  Sec. 6. 1.  This section and section 5 of this act become effective on

10-49  July 1, 2001.


11-1    2.  Section 3 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2001, for the

11-2  purpose of adopting regulations and on July 1, 2002, for all other purposes.

11-3    3.  Sections 1, 2 and 4 of this act become effective on July 1, 2002.

 

11-4  H