HB 26-1353

HB 26-1353, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, changes how social studies are tested in schools. It stops requiring elementary school students from taking state social studies tests and only mandates seventh graders to take them instead. The bill also removes the need for random sample testing of public schools each year. This means less money will be spent on these assessments starting in 2026-27, which affects how education funds are used by the Department of Education.

Official Summary

The act eliminates the requirement for the department of education (department) to administer a state assessment in social studies to elementary school students and specifies that the department is only required to administer a state assessment in social studies to students enrolled in seventh grade in a public school.     The act also eliminates the requirement that the department administer a state assessment in social studies in a representative sample of public schools each year.     The act reduces by the appropriation made in the annual general appropriation act for the 2026-27 state fiscal year to the department of education from the state education fund for the statewide assessment program by $302,835.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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