Schools to cut back on testing

By Lori Porter porter@theacorn.com

California students will soon get a break from assessment testing because the California Department of Education recently changed its requirements.

This may be welcome news to students who saw an increase in assessment tests after passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001.

That legislation mandated a statewide accountability system requiring each state to ensure all schools and districts make "adequate yearly progress." That progress is monitored by student tests.

But California school district officials, concerned with the burden placed on students and teachers, voiced their concern and the California Department of Education responded.

The change, although slight, will affect all local school districts. Starting this year, the sixth edition of the California Achievement Test will be given to third- and seventh- grade students only. In the past, all grade levels were tested.

The CAT assesses general knowledge and academic skills in key subject areas commonly taught in public schools. The test allows the state Department of Education and local school districts to compare the performance of California students to others in the nation. It is administered every April.

"The change in who gets tested eliminates about three hours of testing per year," said Oak Park’s Cliff Moore, district assistant superintendent of educational services. Moore said the change will allow more time for instruction.

Testing for all other grades will remain the same. Students in the fourth and seventh grade will take the writing proficiency test in March. Grades two through 11 will continue to take the California Standards Test this spring.

Changes were not made to the California high school exit exam. All 10th-graders will continue to take the two-day March test.

The exit exam was first given to 10th graders during the 2003-04 school year. The test allows school officials to chart progress in order to prepare students for a successful graduation.

The test is also administered to juniors and seniors. Students must pass this exam in order to receive their high school diplomas.