Caucus Press Release: House GOP Reforms PACT, Holds the Line on Education Accountabilirty
Feb 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Jason Zacher
(803) 734-3139
House GOP Reforms PACT,
Holds the Line on Education Accountability
COLUMBIA -- The House of Representatives has unanimously approved a the first significant changes in the Education Accountability Act since it was enacted in 1998 -- reforming the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test while not weakening our state's education standards.
The House Republican Caucus led the way on education reform as it did 10 years ago with the original Accountability Act. The bill approved Wednesday was written by House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Education Committee Chairman Bob Walker.
"Our state has some of the highest education standards and accountability measures in the nation," said Speaker Harrell. "I am pleased to see the House keep those high standards in place with the passage of this bill."
A key goal for the Republican Caucus was not weakening education standards that are consistently rated as among the toughest in the nation. The bill makes changes that bring South Carolina in line with the federal No Child Left Behind Act and the new test will allow us to accurately compare our students with others nationwide. The bill also clarifies student grades and a school's accountability report card grades.
"Improving our public schools is a top priority for the House Republican Caucus," said Chairman Walker. "I'm proud that we could come together and create a bill that replaces the PACT test with a diagnostic exam while still maintaining our commitment to high standards."
The new law will be fully implemented in 2010.
"This bill makes it easier for parents to know, first, how their student is doing, and second, how their school is performing," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill. "That is the true achievement of the Education Accountability Act -- shining a bright light on school performance so parents know if their school is achieving."
This completes the fourth of seven Republican Caucus agenda items. The Caucus already approved illegal immigration reform, stopped hidden earmark spending, and approved the small business healthcare legislation.
-30-
Click for a PDF copy of this press release.
|
