Representative Gayle Manning Introduces the Testing Reduction Act

COLUMBUS— State Representatives Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) recently introduced House Bill 239, the Testing Reduction Act. This legislation will reduce the amount of time that Ohio’s students spend on standardized testing.

HB 239 would reduce the state-mandated standardized tests to the federal minimums by eliminating four high school end-of-course exams (Geometry, ELA I, American History, American Government). It would also require school districts to convene a local work group made up of parents, teachers, principals and district administrators to examine district-required testing and make recommendations for ways to reduce testing time for students.  Additionally, this bill alters an existing provision that allows local boards of education to pass a resolution to exceed testing limits by requiring such action be taken on an annual basis and reported to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).

“As a retired educator of 37 years, I believe we rely too much on high-stakes testing,” said Rep. Manning. “Students are going back to school in early August, and much of it has to do with preparing students for the tests. If we can eliminate some of the tests, it will lessen the stress on students, teachers, and parents.”

Furthermore, this legislation would require ODE to issue a report annually on the time spent on state and district required testing in Ohio’s schools. HB 239 would also have the state continue to offer a paid administration of the ACT/SAT for high school juniors, with student participation being voluntary.

The bill was referred to the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee and will await its first hearing.