ELIMINATE ACT WORKKEYS OR

SIMILAR ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT

House Bill 4501 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. John Reilly

Committee:  Education Reform

Complete to 12-5-17

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4501 would amend the Revised School Code to remove the requirement that the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) include an assessment that can be used in evaluating the student’s workforce readiness.

Currently, the MME must be administered to students in 11^th grade (or 12^th grade, if the student did not complete the MME in 11^th grade), and must include the following:

·         Assessments that measure English language arts, math, reading, and science, as well as writing skills, and that are used by colleges and universities for entrance or placement purposes.

·         At least one test that assesses a student’s reading and math skills in a way that employers can use in making employment decisions. The Department of Technology, Management, and Budget is required to ensure that the test can be used to secure the results of a nationally recognized evaluation of workforce readiness.

·         A social studies component.

·         Any other component necessary to ensure that the MME complies with the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and Every Student Succeeds Act.

The bill would remove the second requirement and retain the other three. However, the bill states that the removal of the requirement does not prohibit school districts or public school academies from administering a workforce readiness assessment if they choose to do so. 

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 380.1279g and proposed MCL 380.1279h

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would create savings for the state by eliminating the requirement that the MME include a workforce readiness assessment. Currently the MME includes the ACT WorkKeys assessment to fulfill this requirement. The state is in its third year of a 3-year contract with ACT for the WorkKeys administration, scoring and reporting at a total cost of $12.6 million, of which $4.0 million is identified as FY 2017-18 costs.[1] Student assessment contract costs are appropriated in Section 104 of the State School Aid Act.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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