ELIMINATE ACT WORKKEYS OR

SIMILAR ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

House Bill 4162 as referred to second committee

Sponsor:  Rep. John Reilly                                                                

1st Committee:  Education

2nd Committee:  Ways and Means

Complete to 3-18-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4162 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 11th grade (or 12th grade, if the student did not complete the MME in 11th 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 and superintendent of public instruction must ensure that the test can be used to secure the results of a nationally recognized evaluation of workforce readiness. (Currently fulfilled by the ACT WorkKeys assessment.)

·         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.

[Of note, while the bill would remove the WorkKeys requirement from the Revised School Code, the same language is replicated in section 104b of the State School Aid Act.[1] Removal of the requirement would only occur if both were amended.]

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 380.1279g and proposed MCL 380.1279i

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. In FY 2017-18, the state completed a three-year contract with ACT for the WorkKeys administration, scoring, and reporting, at a total cost of             $12.6 million.[2] For FY 2018-19, MDE renewed the contract for a one-year extension for a cost of $4.4 million. Student assessment contract costs are appropriated in section 104 of the State School Aid Act.

POSITIONS:

            Representatives of the following organizations testified in support of the bill:

                        Michigan Department of Education (with amendments) (2-19-19)

                        Brandon Public Schools (2-19-19)

                        Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (2-19-19)

                        West Michigan Talent Triangle (2-26-19)

            The following organizations indicated support for the bill:

                        Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (2-19-19)

                        Michigan Association of Superintendents (2-19-19)

                        Oakland Schools (2-19-19)

                        Wayne RESA (2-19-19)

                        Michigan Association of School Boards (2-19-19)

                        Michigan Education Association (2-19-19)

            Middle Cities Education Association (2-26-19)

Representatives of the following organizations testified in opposition to the bill:

            ACT, Inc. (2-19-19)

            Grand Rapids Chamber (2-19-19)

            Michigan Manufacturers Association (2-19-19)

            AutoCam (2-19-19)

            Huffmaster (2-19-19)

Talent 2025 indicated opposition to the bill. (2-19-19)

           

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analysts:   Samuel Christensen

                                                                                                                           Jacqueline Mullen

■ 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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