School assessment test requirements questioned

Although the U.S. Department of Education has extended flexibility to schools on K-12 assessment, accountability and reporting requirements for the 2020-2021 school year, a state legislator still questions the need for such testing while the pandemic causes logistical problems for schools systems.
State Senator Teresa Fedor said waiving the 95 percent participation requirement for an academic achievement indicator was welcome, but there are more efficient ways to assess the progress of students.
“Waiving the 95 percent participation requirement for federal tests helps ensure we are not penalizing schools if students miss the testing window when they are sick or in quarantine and are unable to attend in-person testing,” Sen. Fedor said. “However, I am disappointed that the federal government will still be requiring these tests. I believe standardized tests are unnecessary. Real-time data, like the course assessments and the required diagnostic tests teachers already give, are the most efficient tools for informing teachers and parents about what students need to make up for learning loss. Ideally, we should use this time to focus on teaching, learning and meeting the needs of students and families, rather than the state and federal accountability systems.”
“It is urgent to understand the impact of COVID-19 on learning,” a Feb. 22 guidance letter by the U.S. Department of Education says. “We know, however, that some schools and school districts may face circumstances in which they are not able to safely administer statewide summative assessments this spring using their standard practices.”
The letter suggests school districts consider administering a shortened version of state assessments, offer remote administration when feasible, and extending the testing window.
“In particular, we know that English language proficiency assessments are often given earlier in the school year than content assessments and are underway already in most states,” the letter says. “The intent of these flexibilities….is to focus on assessments to provide information to parents, educators, and the public about student performance and to help target resources and supports. For that reason, we are not inviting blanket waivers of assessments.”
Two bills are pending in the Ohio legislature that would allow school districts to forgo state and federally mandated testing for this school year.
House Bill 67 would waive state-mandated end-of-course exams and require the Ohio Department of Education to seek a waiver of federally required testing such as achievement tests in grades K-8 as well as one high school test in math, English and science.
Jeff Wensing, vice president of the Ohio Education Association, testified in favor of the bill before the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee.
“The administration of standardized tests is logistically challenging and anxiety inducing under the best of circumstances. Of course, this year has been anything but the best of circumstances for our members and Ohio’s students. Testing this year would not provide reliable data and would only serve to take away meaningful time from classroom instruction and meeting the needs of students,” he said.
HB 40 exempts all public and chartered non-public schools from administering the state achievement assessments for the 2020-2021 school year if the state department of education receives a waiver from the U.S. education secretary.