For Immediate Release: April 14, 2016
Contact: Renee Rybak Lang, renee.lang@nasbe.org, 703-740-4841

States Can Streamline Tests before ESSA Goes into Effect

Alexandria, VA – Before the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) goes into full effect in fall 2017, state boards of education can take advantage of existing authority and funding offered under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to streamline and improve their assessment frameworks for ESSA’s implementation. A new NASBE Policy Update outlines how state boards can get a head start on creating quality assessment programs to ensure a smooth transition to ESSA.

In February, the US Department of Education issued guidance on using federal formula grants during the ESSA transition year to improve state testing regimes. For example, 6111 category funds under NCLB can be used to audit and evaluate assessment quality across school districts and review testing schedules for efficiencies. President Obama’s “Testing Action Plan” also sets clear principles to guide states in identifying good assessments.

Two states have already begun to evaluate their assessments: The Illinois State Board of Education participated in a 2015 pilot study to identify which local tests provided valuable data for educators and which tests were substandard. Tennessee has created a task force to establish principles around testing alignment and reporting. The group also recommended ways the state could improve assessment quality and reduce overtesting.

Under the new flexibility and authority provided under ESSA, state boards have an opportunity to not only revamp and rethink their assessments but also ensure that students, teachers, and parents understand the reasons behind the assessments and their benefits. “Eliminating low-quality and redundant tests is one way states can mitigate fear,” says NASBE’s Stephen Prociw. “High-quality assessments can be instruments that promote equity and increase academic achievement.”

Read “Flexibility for Streamlining Tests.”

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, promote excellence in the education of all students, and ensure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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