We Don't Need Standardized Testing In a Pandemic
UPDATE: Just as I was finishing this post, I caught a glimpse of this news:
The U.S. Department of Education extended flexibility to states today in how and when they administer mandated end-of-the-year assessments, including allowing shorter tests that can be given remotely and, in the summer, or even in the fall. The federal agency advised states to blunt the impact of the tests, suggesting the scores not be used in final grades and grade promotion decisions.As I argue below, this is a bad idea. I really hope the Biden administration can be persuaded to reconsider.
However, despite the disruption to schools from the pandemic, the federal agency did not liberate states from administering standardized tests; it will continue to require statewide assessments. Some states, including Georgia, requested waivers that would allow them to forgo standardized testing altogether this year.
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A notable bit of education policy news in New Jersey last week:
New Jersey will apply to the federal government to waive standardized testing for the current school year as districts across the state continue to cope with the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday.
Murphy said the state has not yet received word from President Joe Biden’s administration as to whether it will accept its application to waive the federal CONTINUE READING: Jersey Jazzman: We Don't Need Standardized Testing In a Pandemic