Ohio Department of Education considers reduction in testing
Lead Summary
By
-
The Ohio Department of Education is taking several steps to further engage the state’s education stakeholders and develop a strategic plan for education in Ohio.
“As Ohioans, we all want every child to receive a high-quality education so they can succeed in life, careers and future learning. That unity is crucial as we seek to lead our education system to be the best it can be in the service of every child,” said Paolo DeMaria, state superintendent of public instruction. “Only by working together can we reach our aspirations. We are excited to begin the important work of creating a strategic plan for education in Ohio, supported by a set of goals, strategies, tactics and metrics.”
In a meeting of the State Board of Education, DeMaria made several announcements in response to recent feedback from Ohio’s education stakeholders.
As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states now have the flexibility to make choices that best suit their needs. States can submit their ESSA templates to the U.S. Department of Education in either April or September. To allow this work to advance and drive needed change, the Department will delay the ESSA template submission to the U.S. Department of Education to September. This also will allow more time to ensure that feedback received on the draft template can be considered carefully.
To address one of the key concerns heard pertaining to reduction in testing, DeMaria is convening a Superintendent's Advisory Committee on Assessments to focus on the full range of testing issues — including state-required tests, as well as district-level tests.
This work will allow for a more thorough and complete review, and recommendations for adjustments to these assessments – both state and local. More details on this committee will be developed in the coming days and weeks.
In addition, the Department will continue to work closely with legislators, the governor, business leaders, educators and the public to undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process. The strategic plan will include a clear vision for education in Ohio, supported by a set of goals, strategies, tactics and metrics.
“As Ohioans, we all want every child to receive a high-quality education so they can succeed in life, careers and future learning. That unity is crucial as we seek to lead our education system to be the best it can be in the service of every child,” said Paolo DeMaria, state superintendent of public instruction. “Only by working together can we reach our aspirations. We are excited to begin the important work of creating a strategic plan for education in Ohio, supported by a set of goals, strategies, tactics and metrics.”
In a meeting of the State Board of Education, DeMaria made several announcements in response to recent feedback from Ohio’s education stakeholders.
As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states now have the flexibility to make choices that best suit their needs. States can submit their ESSA templates to the U.S. Department of Education in either April or September. To allow this work to advance and drive needed change, the Department will delay the ESSA template submission to the U.S. Department of Education to September. This also will allow more time to ensure that feedback received on the draft template can be considered carefully.
To address one of the key concerns heard pertaining to reduction in testing, DeMaria is convening a Superintendent's Advisory Committee on Assessments to focus on the full range of testing issues — including state-required tests, as well as district-level tests.
This work will allow for a more thorough and complete review, and recommendations for adjustments to these assessments – both state and local. More details on this committee will be developed in the coming days and weeks.
In addition, the Department will continue to work closely with legislators, the governor, business leaders, educators and the public to undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process. The strategic plan will include a clear vision for education in Ohio, supported by a set of goals, strategies, tactics and metrics.