Rep. Brenner Applauds ODE's Adopting Changes As Suggested in His HB 74

State Representative Andrew O. Brenner (R-Powell) commends the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) today for their reduction of testing time for state assessments. Representative Brenner previously introduced House Bill 74, which called for the reduction of state tests and limiting the time to three hours per year per subject. Fortunately, the ODE has made adjustments that are very similar to those recommended by Representative Brenner in HB 74. Brenner has continued to push for the changes outlined in HB 74. 

Representative Brenner said he was "ecstatic" when he learned that the ODE was making changes that would mean testing lengths will be close to what he sought in HB 74. He noted that the ODE “is doing what they need to be doing” in order to remedy the problems with testing lengths. 

HB 74 was introduced on February 19, 2015, well before the testing hour reduction announcement recently made by the ODE. Representative Brenner has been on record urging the administration and the ODE to remedy the issues with PARCC, the length of state assessments, and other policy issues. 

ODE announced in July the elimination of the PARCC assessments, another policy Representative Brenner has been supporting through legislation. He welcomes "the positive policy changes at ODE" and looks forward to continuing to work with the leaders at ODE to encourage necessary adjustments.