The topic of high-stakes, standardized testing has always been a hot issue here in the United States. In fact, many argue that these types of tests cause stress for no good reason. However, laws have required public schools across the country to conduct annual standardized tests for math and reading for all students in grades 3-8 and report the results for nearly two decades.
The data is used to identify "failing" schools, but it's also used to measure any discrepancies in learning for minority groups, such as POC and students with disabilities. Also, many states include test results in their teachers' annual evaluations.
However, the Department of Education decided to waive these standardized tests last year due to the pandemic. This news came just as most schools across the country shut down entirely because they were not equipped to handle operating in the early stages of the pandemic.
According to NPR, more than half of K-12 students in the United States are still in remote or hybrid learning situations, meaning that they are receiving less classrooms in-person class time. Because of this, the majority of states assumed the Department of Education would waive standardized testing mandates again this year. In fact, larger states like California had already cancelled plans to administer tests this year.
The Department of Education shared a letter state leaders earlier this week. In the letter, acting assistant secretary for the office of elementary and secondary education Ian Rosenblum stated, "It is urgent to understand the impact of COVID-19 on learning."
While the Department of Education won't allow states to cancel testing completely, they are offering more flexibility than usual. According to Education Week, states can administer shorter versions of the tests or postpone testing into the summer or fall. Furthermore, states can apply for waivers that will prevent low-performing schools from receiving disciplinary action based on their 2020-2021 school year test scores.
Because much of the country remains under social distancing measures and other mandates that limit large gatherings, most state and local officials insist that it is "logistically impossible" to test students safely and accurately. If students test in-person, the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks increases, and if students test virtually, states run the risk of receiving inaccurate results due to parents and siblings "helping" children while they test.
Given all that has impacted student learning over the past 12 months, it is unlikely that standardized test results will prove anything that most school districts and parents don't already know: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered education here in the United States.
Sources: NPR, US Department of Education, Education Week