Annual state testing, including WebXams for career tech students, tests for new English Language learners and alternate assessments for students with disabilities, for the 2019-20 school year is waived, as are the September state report cards that are largely based on that testing. The bill also waives consequences that would normally come from a lack of testing, but schools that were subject to any sanctions in 2019-20 will still retain them for 2020-21.
Springfield City School District superintendent said this crisis is shining a light on long-term issues affecting public education.
“The public health crisis associated with COVID-19 has brought to light that most of the education related items that remain in the public eye, like state testing and report cards, really do not matter,” said Superintendent Bob Hill. “The bottom line is that educators are focused on the well-being of students and that is what matters.”
Hill said the district will continue to meet student needs regardless of the changes.
“The educators in the Springfield City School District will continue to meet the needs of our students regardless of the legislative changes,” he said. “Our team works tirelessly each day to meet the personal needs of our students.”
Hill has previously criticized the role annual state testing plays in education and particularly in his district, which was one of four districts in the state to receive an “F” overall grade on last year’s report card.
Hill said then that using report card grades to compare schools is, “very misleading, unfair and riddled with bias.”
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Clark-Shawnee Local School District superintendent said student priorities are most important.
“We are keeping first things first and that means prioritizing the needs of our students. I believe the Clark-Shawnee community shares these priorities and wants our staff to continue focusing on our kids and supporting them through this with education and critical services,” Superintendent Brian Kuhn said.
Kuhn said the district, which scored an overall grade of “C” on last year’s report card, appreciates the governor’s decision to eliminate state testing.
“This is clearly in the best interest of Ohio’s students and we applaud efforts to support our students and staff during these trying times,” he said.
Greenon Local School District Superintendent Brad Silvus said the changes are what is right for the students. Greenon’s overall grade last year was a “D.”
“Eliminating state testing requirements and report cards this year is clearly right for kids. We’re going to continue focusing on what’s best for our community by providing education for students, meals for families in need and important support services,” Silvus said.
This situation has proved the success of public schools, he said.
“Every school district and every teacher rose to the challenge to do what’s best for kids and communities. This situation has proven that public schools are vital to the success and health of our communities and that protecting public education should be a priority for Ohio,” Silvus said.
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Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools superintendent said waiving the testing and report cards was the right thing to do.
“There are so many other measures of student learning that matter to local districts and communities. The state test results and report cards were never a reflection of those important measures that matter for success after graduation,” Superintendent Danielle Prohaska said. “I am relieved for my staff, my students and my community who will have one less thing to worry about during this stressful time.”
Prohaska said even though testing has been waived, it won’t change the district’s approach for teaching students.
“Teachers are still charged with determining need to know content and experiences that students must have exposure to during distance learning. The waiver of testing will not change our approach to providing well-rounded distance learning experience for students,” she said.
Mechanicsburg scored a “B” overall grade on last year’s report card.
Graham Local School District superintendent said testing is a stressful time for all, so waiving it was a good decision.
“The state testing process is a very stressful time for students, parents and teachers,” Superintendent Matt Curtis said. “In the current situation, it is absolutely necessary that these tests be waived.”
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Curtis said report cards are only one “snapshot” of district success. The district scored an overall “C” last year.
“As far as the local report cards, it is one snapshot of the success of a district. To evaluate a district during times when instruction is being delivered in a completely new way would not be representative of the performance of either students or educators,” he said.
Although changes were made to state testing and report cards, legislature decided to keep the EdChoice program the same as it was for 2019-20. If students of a public school were eligible for vouchers in 2019-20, they will be eligible again in 2020-21.
Hill said local public tax dollars will “unjustly” continue to go to private education options.
“The Springfield City School District continues to be the most opportunity-rich district in the county,” he said. “And will continue to do so regardless of the status of the EdChoice program.”
Prohaska said even though their district is not directly impacted at this time, they are still critical about the voucher program.
“As a district we have been vocal about the flaws in the current voucher expansion program,” she said.
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