FRANKFORT, Ky. — Despite the wishes of the Commonwealth's top education official, all Kentucky students will take part in standardized testing this year. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) ruled testing can be delayed, but not canceled outright.
“I am disappointed in that information. I think what the Biden-Harris administration is saying is that states have to continue to test, even though we have been going through this pandemic experience,” Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Jason Glass said.
In a release, the U.S. Department Department of Education said the assessments and accountability systems play an important role in advancing educational equity, identifying student needs, and targeting the resources to address them. Dr. Glass begs to differ.
“State-level summative tests like this take months to get tests back, so it’s not really useful for that purpose. Our districts have much more sensitive and better formative measures at the school level that are better for that purpose,” Dr. Glass said.
Whether he agrees or not, the ED announcement means tests will go on. There will be some flexibility on how and when the tests can take place. Here in Kentucky, it will depend on the school district.
“We’ve shortened tests to make them as simple to administer and take the least time that we possibly can. We have also broadened the window for when school districts can give the assessments, so they have more flexibility on when students come in,” Dr. Glass said.
These test results are often used to determine school ratings. However, the U.S. ED is allowing states to request a waiver from accountability this year. Dr. Glass said Kentucky will apply for that waiver.
“Certainly, I think there is a legitimate fear groups will take this data and latch on and use it as a way to attack public schools who really have performed in a remarkable way throughout this," Dr. Glass said.
Dr. Glass said it often takes months to get these test results back, but he will press the test vendor to return the results as soon as possible, so that districts can use it to understand what changes may help improve learning outcomes.
Overall, Dr. Glass said he realizes how much students missed out on during non-traditional instruction (NTI). That's why he wants educators in the Commonwealth to focus on creating engaging experiences to get students to fall in love with school again, instead of tests.