Governor candidates all vow less standardized testing in schools

Candidate platforms on standardized testing (From Dayton Daily News voter’s guide) : 

Rich Cordray, Democrat: Reduce required testing to federally mandated minimums.

Mike DeWine, Republican: Reduce required testing. Refine the state report card system to focus on student progress instead of meeting benchmarks.

Constance Gadell-Newton, Green Party: End teaching to the test.

Travis Irvine, Libertarian: Evaluate schools based on student advancement rather than “one size all” standardized tests.

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Whomever wins the governor’s race, part of his or her platform will include reducing the prominence of statewide tests to gauge the performance of students across Ohio.

All four governor candidates say they want to reduce required testing, though the impact any Ohio governor has on standardized testing requirements is limited.

RELATED: Where Ohio governor candidates agree, differ on education

Of the 23 statewide tests administered to Ohio students, 17 are federally mandated.

Cordray has called for reducing testing to the federally mandated minimums. DeWine wants to refine the state report card system to focus on student progress instead of meeting benchmarks.

RELATED: State school board backs long-term graduation changes, weighs emergency fix

Ken Baker, executive director of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, echoing a frequent battle cry from educators, said the state should reduce its reliance on standardized testing to gauge district performance.

“It’s become the be-all, end-all of education,” he said. “Our position is that there is too much time that is spent on testing in the classroom, and in preparation for testing.”

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