Legislative declaration affirming focus on academic achievement and the promotion of excellence in education

(a) The legislature hereby affirms that excellence in education provides an essential gateway to success not only for students but for the entire state. Achieving excellence in education opens doors of opportunity for long-term personal, professional and economic growth and improvement for all students. As academic achievement is elevated, inspired and attained, more students will gain the soft skills that are necessary to succeed in the workforce, including improved time management, personal accountability and communication skills. Maintaining high academic achievement standards for all students provides the basis for the fundamental belief that all people, despite their socioeconomic, racial or cultural status, are uniquely capable and worthy of meeting and exceeding the highest caliber of expectations. In affirming this focus on excellence, the legislature hereby desires consistent communication with the state board of education and the state department of education to annually review academic achievement, as quantitatively measured by performance on state assessments and the interventions, goals and strategies that are being utilized to move all students to academic proficiency. (b) This section shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.