The chance to improve assessment systems for students

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is in the process of making key decisions about how the state will implement the new federal public education law – the Every Student Succeeds Act. There is no guarantee that ESSA will be better than the previous law, No Child Left Behind, it depends on how OSPI seeks and considers public input. So far, the agency has mostly included policy makers and administrators in the process. It is vital that educators with real classroom and school experience help drive the ESSA implementation in Washington so that it is a positive change for students everywhere, regardless of zip code.

Part one of our series providing an overview of OSPI's work groups covers the Student Assessment System and outlines what the WEA believes this group should strive to achieve, and offers ways that you can get involved to ensure your voice is a part of this process.

Work group: Student Assessment System

Key questions this work group is to address

• How do we know our kids are learning what they should be?
• Should OSPI determine the testing regimes for all school districts?
• If we are going to use standardized tests, how will the results be used?

The WEA perspective

WEA recognizes that there is a role for standardized tests in our schools, however, we believe there are too many of them, leaving less time for true teaching and learning in our schools. Tests should inform instruction, measure student growth, and be part of a more complete system to determine student proficiency. Test results should be used for the purpose for which they were designed and, we need to stop attaching high-stakes consequences to test results, and begin providing additional support for students who need it most.

Specifically, when it comes to student testing, we should:

• Reduce the number of standardized tests our students are required to take.
• Increase the amount of time for teaching and learning.
• Use a variety of measures to demonstrate student proficiency and growth.
• Delink high school graduation from test results.
• Stop using standardized tests to determine grade promotion or placement in advanced learning programs.
• Allow families to opt out of standardized tests without penalties to the student or school.
• Allow school districts to determine the best testing program for its students.
• Maintain access to instructional services, computer labs and library services during testing.
• Ensure that our testing system meets the needs of special populations, including special education students and English learners.

3 ways you can get involved

The number of educators on the OSPI work groups is very limited, so it is important that WEA members do all they can to be heard through public comment opportunities. Here's how you can help:

• Share a copy of this Student Assessment work group paper with fellow members and allies. Get the word out that we need to stand up for students, parents and educators by creating common sense assessments that actually benefit students.
• Attend one of the regional forums being held by OSPI and wear red so you stand out as an advocate for public education.
• Submit comments via the state's feedback form.