House Bill 178

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
2000 REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 178

AN ACT relating to early mathematics placement testing.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. Program means the Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program; and
  2. Participating colleges or universities means all public postsecondary education institutions in Kentucky and any private college or university in Kentucky that chooses to participate in the Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program.

SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

  1. The Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program is created to lower the number of high school graduates in Kentucky who require remediation in mathematics upon enrollment in postsecondary education institutions by providing information to primarily high school sophomores and juniors statewide regarding their level of mathematics knowledge in relation to standards required for community and technical colleges and university level mathematics courses early enough for students to address deficiencies while still in high school.
  2. The testing program shall be a computer website-based program that incorporates a variety of diagnostic mathematics tests to identify knowledge and skills needed for postsecondary education courses.
  3. The testing program shall be developed and conducted by a public university. The Council on Postsecondary Education, with the advice of the Department of Education, shall develop a process to solicit, review, and select a proposal for the development and implementation of the computer website-based program. The Council shall approve the location of a program at a public university no later than September 1, 2000. The university shall be the fiscal agent for the testing program and shall receive the funds appropriated by the General Assembly.
  4. The program shall be available to all interested Kentucky public and private school students in grades ten (10) and eleven (11). Student participation in the program shall be voluntary, and program test scores shall not be:
    1. Placed on a students high school transcript; or
    2. Used by postsecondary institutions in the admissions process.
  5. The computer website-testing program shall be available to all Kentuckians for the evaluation of an individuals mathematics knowledge and skills.
  6. The program shall encourage the active participation of all public and private high schools in Kentucky.
  7. The computer website-testing program shall:
    1. Develop appropriate tests to determine the level of mathematics knowledge of high school students in relation to standards of placement tests given at the community and technical colleges and undergraduate public universities. In the development of the tests, consideration shall be given to the program of studies and the minimum requirements for high school graduation established in KRS 156.160 and the alignment of these standards with postsecondary course standards;
    2. Develop a structure to permit each participating student the opportunity to take the computer-based test at school in the presence of school personnel or at the students home in the presence of his or her parents or guardian;
    3. Score the completed tests and provide the test scores and diagnostic information on a students knowledge and skills electronically to the student and the high school upon completion of the test in the form of electronic mail or printable files or screens.
    4. Provide the following information for up to three (3) participating postsecondary education institutions specified by the student as a possible college choice:
      1. The students test score;
      2. A list of mathematics courses required for the students intended major at a postsecondary education institution;
      3. A list of any remedial courses a student might be required to take based on the students current level of mathematics knowledge as demonstrated on the test;
      4. The estimated cost of the remedial courses the student might be required to take; and
      5. The high school courses and the specific mathematical concept or function a student should consider studying in order to address any deficiencies;
    5. Encourage the chair of the mathematics department or the academic dean at each of the participating postsecondary education institutions specified by the student as a possible college choice to send a personalized letter to the student that:
      1. Encourages the student to take additional high school mathematics courses to address deficiencies in mathematics knowledge; or
      2. Congratulates the student who does well on the test for his or her achievement and encourages continued study in mathematics;
    6. Develop and implement a strategy to raise awareness and encourage participation in the program, targeting high school students, parents, high school faculty and administrators, mathematics departments or faculty at postsecondary education institutions, and the general public.
  8. The Kentucky Department of Education shall provide assistance as necessary to the Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program to implement the provisions of this Act.
  9. The public university that conducts the testing program shall submit an annual report to the Kentucky Board of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education regarding its activities, and the effects of the program on levels of remediation required by participating students.

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Sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Bradford L. Cowgill Interim President
Created by House Bill 178 of the 2000 Kentucky General Assembly
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