Senate Action on Grade 2 Testing

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

We've won three straight rounds this Spring: First in Assembly Budget 
Subcommittee, then in Assembly Ed, and now in Senate Budget 
Subcommittee. Tuesday, thanks to ours continued lobbying efforts, 
Senators Jack Scott and Joe Simitian voted to delete the funding for 
the STAR Grade 2 test from the Governor's budget during the Senate 
Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 Education hearing.

Estelle Lemieux, CTA's legislative advocate on budget issues, 
testified urging the committee to remove the funding.  A so-called 
testing expert testified to keep the funding for the Grade 2 test and 
presented the committee with a stack of letters from Ed Voice 
opposing the end of the Grade 2 test.

Before the vote to delete the funding, Senator Scott stated that the 
Grade 2 test is a policy matter for the policy committee and should 
not be in the budget.  Unfortunately, Senator Bob Margett 
(R-Glendora) then stated he would author a bill so that the debate on 
the Grade 2 test could take place. So we have at least one more round 
to go this Spring.

Please send your thanks to Senator Jack Scott-D-Pasadena 
(fax-916-324-7543 or phone 916-651-4021) and Senator Joe 
Simitian-D-Palo Alto (fax-916-323-4529 or phone 916-651-4011) for 
voting to delete the funding for the unnecessary STAR Grade 2 test 
and for protecting young children from the test.

Residents of Senator Bob Margett's 29th district should educate Mr. 
Margett and demonstrate that his own constituents strongly oppose the 
Grade 2 test and want to end it on July 1, 2007.   Mr. Margett 
represents the cities of Anaheim, Arcadia, Bradbury, Brea, Chino, 
Chino Hills, City of Industry, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Glendora, 
Hacienda Heights, LaHabra, LaHabra Heights, LaVerne, Monrovia, 
Placentia, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, Walnut, Yorba Linda.

Please spread the good news about the elimination of funding for the 
STAR Grade 2 test in the Senate Budget this week and the Assembly 
Budget last week  Letters on this important issue need to keep coming 
to all members of the Legislature.

Please  send individual letters and coalition or joint letters from 
teachers, local teachers associations, parent groups, administrators, 
and school boards to Senator Scott, Chair of the Senate Education 
Committee, supporting for the end of the Grade 2 test and opposing 
any proposal to continue the test.  Broad support for ending the 
Grade 2 Test, in accordance with SB 1448 (Chapter 233, Statutes of 2004).
 is vital to keep the pressure on in both the Assembly and Senate. 
Letters to the Senate Education Committee are especially important in 
case Senator Margett does gut and amend one of his bills to continue 
the Grade 2 test.




George Sheridan