SPRINGFIELD — To ensure educators and community-at-large have transparency from the Illinois State Board of Education on changes to state assessments, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is championing legislation to require information on their assessment contracts to be posted publicly and consolidated to a central, easy-to-find location.  

“Our teachers already have so much on their plate. We should be easing the burdens they face in any way we can, and streamlining where information on assessments live is an easy way to do that,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This initiative ensures that teachers can easily access information on what assessments are currently under contract with the state, allowing them to model their curriculum and ensure their students demonstrate their full potential.” 

State assessment contracts are agreements between a state government agency and a vendor for the administration of standardized assessments. Based on which standardized assessment the state is under contract with, teachers may need to alter their curriculum to properly prepare their students to get the best scores on these tests.

Under current law, ISBE is not required to post state assessment contractual information publicly, and there is not a central webpage to fine this information. Instead, they frequently put out notices through their communications department when a contract or state assessment changes. However, these notices often do not include information about the contract’s costs, dates, or renewal information—all important knowledge for teachers to have when structuring their curriculum.

House Bill 2574, led in the House by Representative Sue Scherer, would require ISBE to publicly post information on any assessment contract that ISBE enters into, including the dates the contract is in effect, contract renewal options, and costs. It would also ensure ISBE works with stakeholders when making decisions on which contracts to pursue. These changes will give educators more transparency about any changes made to state assessment contracts. 

House Bill 2574 passed the Senate Education committee on Tuesday.