On Feb. 22, all states received notice from the U.S. Department of Education that student testing should continue as usual, despite the unusual circumstances of the current school year.
While federal education officials will not waive federal standardized testing, states will be allowed to to request a waiver of accountability and school identification requirements. Those federal officials say testing results are needed to address deficiencies in learning during the pandemic.
“To be successful once schools have re-opened, we need to understand the impact COVID-19 has had on learning and identify what resources and supports students need,” the letter stated.
The federal government also decided to allow requested waivers for the requirement that 95% of students participate in the assessments. It gave clear direction that online learners should not be brought into school buildings for the sole purpose of taking a test.
[adrotate banner=”23″]
Although, the federal agency’s letter mentioned remote administration of state tests, Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods said that testing, particularly for remote learners, is “not achievable from a logistical, connectivity or security standpoint,” according to a Feb. 24 press release from his office.
Even though Georgia education officials are not happy about the requirement that testing go on as usual though state schools will proceed with the Georgia Milestones assessments this spring.
Richmond County School System Chief Public Relations Officer Lynthia Ross issued the following statement in response to inquiries regarding testing:
“The Richmond County School System will follow the guidance from the Georgia Department of Education regarding administering Georgia Milestones. The Georgia Milestones help teachers, students and parents understand what students have learned and where they need extra help,” she said in an email Feb. 26. “Richmond County School System will use the information gathered from Georgia Milestones to focus on closing academic gaps. The Richmond County School System will inform parents of the Georgia Department of Education testing updates and support participation in Georgia Milestones testing.”
[adrotate banner=”19″]
Ross said the Richmond County school system would conduct the testing even considering that 40% of the students participate in online learning.
Columbia County School District Superintendent Sandra Carraway has maintained a strong opposition to federal testing during the pandemic. Approximately 25,000 of the county’s students attend face-to-face classes.
“Children’s learning should not be measured when they have not been in school regularly,” Carraway said last month. “While we have not had to close our schools, many students have either quarantined or isolated due to the virus, which may impact their ability to score as well on federally mandated tests.”
Shellie Smitley is a staff writer for The Augusta Press. Reach her at shellie@theaugustapress.com
[adrotate banner=”41″]
