Policy Resolution EDU-15-21

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has a long history of promoting public policy that seeks to close the education achievement gap and improve education for all Americans;

WHEREAS, NBCSL passed resolution EDU-11-27, “COMMON CORE CURRICULUM STATE STANDARDS,” which ensures children receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and in a globally competitive economy;

WHEREAS, NBCSL recognizes that assessments can provide an accurate measure of student progress;

WHEREAS, NBCSL recognizes the role of meaningful assessments in student learning, and how they aid parents and teachers in determining whether students are getting the education they need and deserve;

WHEREAS, legislators have a significant role in key components related to common core state standards, such as assessment, which can help determine whether students are making academic gains;

WHEREAS, according to President Barack Obama’s Blueprint for Reform, assessments better inform classroom instruction to respond to academic needs and measure how schools, principals, and teachers are educating students;

WHEREAS, NBCSL recognizes that accountability can illuminate what is working and what needs improvement in order for teachers and students to receive the necessary support to be successful; and

WHEREAS, NBCSL recognizes that academic tests provide crucial data, which reveal where struggling students need help in order to receive support to learn at their grade level.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages its membership and other state policymakers to increase their awareness of the implications that assessments and accountability have for their respective state and ensure collaboration with their state boards of education and state-level departments;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL further urges members to educate themselves on any potential racial or socioeconomic bias that may be present in the test and work within their respective state and community to address such issues to ensure that tests render the most accurate results; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Alan Williams (FL)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Education Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President 2015