S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5491
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
May 12, 2009
___________
Introduced by Sen. OPPENHEIMER -- read twice and ordered printed, and
when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to create the temporary state commission on value added assess-
ment, and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A temporary state commission, to be known as the temporary
state commission on value added assessment, is hereby created to study
the merits of value added assessment models in school accountability,
including improving instruction, evaluating teacher practice standards
and informing the best methods of professional development.
The commission shall examine, but not be limited to making recommenda-
tions on the following issues:
a. Assess the benefits of New York state implementing a value added
assessment system;
b. Determine if new tests or additional testing shall be needed to
develop a value added assessment system;
c. Evaluate the capacity (staff, computing resources and high-quality
longitudinal data) of the department of education to implement a value
added assessment system;
d. Determine how a value added assessment system can be used for the
diagnostic purposes of improving instruction, evaluating teacher prac-
tice and developing methods of teacher professional development;
e. Assess the viability of using a value added assessment system for
school accountability purposes; and
f. Estimate the cost to the state of developing a value added assess-
ment system.
S 2. The commission shall consist of 11 members to be appointed as
follows: 3 members to be appointed by the governor, 3 members to be
appointed by the speaker of the assembly, 3 members to be appointed by
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11832-01-9
S. 5491 2
the temporary president of the senate, 1 member to be appointed by the
minority leader of the senate, and 1 member to be appointed by the
minority leader of the assembly. The appointees shall include a school
administrator, a school board member and a classroom teacher. The
commissioner of education shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member
of the commission. Any vacancy on such commission shall be filled in the
same manner as the original appointment was made. A chairperson of such
commission shall be elected by the majority of its members, all members
being present.
S 3. The members of the commission and expert advisors designated
pursuant to section two of this act shall receive no compensation for
their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
S 4. The commission may designate expert advisors knowledgeable in the
development and implementation of value added assessments and systems
necessary for implementing value added assessments, both from within and
outside the state of New York.
S 5. The department of education shall provide the commission such
facilities, assistance and data as will enable the commission to carry
out its powers and duties.
S 6. The commission shall submit its final report to the governor,
speaker of the assembly and temporary president of the senate on or
before June 30, 2010.
S 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed December 1, 2010.