The U.S. Department of Education says educators must resume federally-mandated tests this year, as lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse debate what to do about Ohio’s standardized tests.
Some state lawmakers have advocated for scrapping tests again this year that are usually required of Ohio's students, because many students have been learning remotely.
Other education leaders like Paolo DeMaria, the state superintendent of public instruction, say the tests should be used as a diagnostic tool, rather than as a measure of accountability.
“We should not rank, rate, or punish, or have consequences for districts based on testing because we knew their year was interrupted," DeMaria says. "We know they are not putting forth their best efforts."
DeMaria says the tests will provide educators and the state with information about what students need to learn in order to make up for lost learning due to COVID-19.
Earlier this month, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) says the tests are needed to help determine how to help students who may have lost ground due to interrupted learning.
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