Rep. Miller: State testing bill imperfect, but action needed to end confusion, help students

State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) Thursday voted in favor of House Bill (HB) 67, legislation to adjust state testing requirements for the 2020-21 school year. Democrats did say, however, that more needs to be done to support students and teachers during the pandemic.

“I was disappointed not only in the federal government’s decision to refuse testing waivers, but disappointed in my Republican colleagues’ decision to completely cut half of Ohioans out of the process of writing this substitute bill. So as not to burden the Ohio Department of Education and the testing companies profiting off our children, we chose to instead burden the teachers and students by not discontinuing state-mandated tests and extending the deadline for the federal tests.  I offered an amendment to further extend the testing window into the Summer, but my colleagues across the aisle had already made up their minds. I voted in support of this legislation because it prevents these tests from impacting a student’s graduation. At the end of the day, I’m glad to send this over to the Senate with the hope that we can bring some relief to students and teachers,” said Rep. Miller.

Democrats have pushed to eliminate state testing requirements due to the continued disruptions and changes in learning environments amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dems introduced legislation earlier this year to cancel the remaining state testing for this academic year and sent a letter Feb. 4 to the Governor, State Superintendent and State Board of Education President urging a waiver for end-of-year state testing. 

Some provisions of HB 67 include:

·         Waiving end-of-course exam graduation requirements for the 2020-2021 school year, instead using student's final course grade;

·         Extends testing windows and other assessment deadlines, giving flexibility and more time to both students and schools;

·         Creates an exemption for the state mandated American History end-0f-course exam;

·         Permits schools to grant a diploma for this academic year to any student on track to graduate, in consultation with teachers and counselors;

·         Requires the state seeks waivers for federal accountability and school identification requirements.

Democrats offered several amendments on the floor, including:

·         Extending the testing window to June 30;

·         Allowing for opt-out of testing for students in remote learning;

·         Removing the state testing requirement altogether;

Republicans rejected each of the amendments.

After passing the House, the bill moves to the Senate for consideration