It’s time to rein in student testing!

Everyone agrees that our system of testing students is a mess. Too much learning time is wasted preparing for standardized tests, and the testing results are used in ways that are not clear to parents and teachers.

This year, lawmakers are trying to get a handle on the runaway testing system. Two bills will be heard by the House Education Committee that aim to reduce the number of tests and to give clarity to the test results.

Please send a message to the House Education Committee. Ask members to support HB 203 by Rep. Larry Bagley (R-Stonewall) and HB 572 by Rep. Bernard LeBas (D-Ville Platte.

HB 203 requires the Department of Education to report standards-based test results to local school boards by August 31 each year in a clear, readable format. School boards must then send the test results to the students’ teachers.

Test results must contain the scale score and raw score achieved by each student, an item analysis of each assessment, and longitudinal information if available.

HB 572 reduces the number of standards-based tests. Here is what it proposes:

• English Language Arts: annually in grades 3 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12.
• Math: annually in grades 3 through 8 and once in grades 9 through 12.
• Science: once in grades 3 through 6, once in grades 7 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 11.
• Social Studies: once in grades 3 through 6, once in grades 7 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 11.

These bills are a good start toward reining in the over-testing of our students. Tell the House Education Committee to approve HB 203 and HB 572!