“I am committed to improving testing efficiency and reducing the testing burden on students while maintaining accountability in our schools,” said Richard A. Ross, superintendent of public instruction at the Ohio Department of Education. “These recommendations are in the best interest of students. They will reduce testing and increase instructional time for Ohio’s boys and girls.”
In preparing the report, the department of education surveyed districts, spoke with teachers and stakeholders and analyzed testing data. The survey indicated that the average student spends 19.8 hours testing per year, or approximately 1 to 3 percent of their school year. The survey also indicated that students spend approximately 15 additional hours on practice tests each year.
Legislative recommendations include:
- Limiting the time a student takes state and district tests to 2 percent of the school year and limiting the time spent practicing for tests to one percent of the year.
- Eliminating the fall third grade reading test but providing a summer administration of the test for students who need it.
- Eliminating the state's requirement that districts give math and writing diagnostic tests to students in first through third grade.
- Eliminating the use of student learning objectives as part of the teacher evaluation system for teachers in grades Pre-K through 3 and for teachers teaching in non-core subject areas in grades 4 through 12.
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