Lawmakers Debate Assessment Bill

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Debate on a new system for assessing South Dakota public schools continues. The Senate Education Committee has voted to defer the education bill to the appropriations committee with a "do pass" recommendation, meaning it would next go to the Senate floor.

State education officials say the accountability model should replace flawed provisions in the federal school improvement law known as No Child Left Behind.

The new system would include student testing but also look at students' progress from year to year. It also would evaluate the performance of teachers and administrators.

Schools ranked near the bottom would receive support to make improvements.

Lawmakers say the Education Department must ensure it has the funding to develop the new model since the state is unlikely to pick up the tab.

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