Connecticut has asked U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for a waiver to let it skip this school year’s standardized tests and accountability measures.
Miguel Cardona, the state’s education commissioner, announced that request from the federal government at a Wednesday afternoon press conference with Gov. Ned Lamont.
The state is looking for permission to suspend all state-mandated student assessments for all grades and subjects, like the Smarter Balanced test that’s given in elementary schools, as well as accountability measures, like the Next Generation Accountability system that gives an overall rating for each school and district.
Cardona said his department is working with The College Board to figure out what to do with the SAT, the standardized test that’s used in both college admissions and the state’s report card for each high school. That test would’ve been given to all juniors between Mar. 27 and Apr. 9.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has already taken an emotional toll on our school communities with significant disruptions to classroom learning that will affect Connecticut’s ability to administer assessments and produce valid results,” Cardona said in a statement.
“When students and educators return to school in Spring of 2020, they will be coming back from an extended absence. Districts should prioritize re-acclimating students, addressing their social-emotional needs, and providing high quality learning opportunities that prepare them for the following year,” he continued. “This is not a decision I make lightly, however, this is an unprecedented time for public education. We are committed to supporting our students, teachers, leaders, and families and ensuring they feel a sense of normalcy and stability if and when they return to the school building this year.”
The Connecticut State Department of Education is advising schools that their closures will likely continue into April and maybe beyond. It’s asking them to keep up the “continuity of education,” along with other basic needs, “for all students to the greatest extent possible.” It provided a list of print and digital resources that schools can use as a starting point.