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State Rep. Brenner Applauds Legislation to Revise State Assessments and Examinations

Bill expected to reduce state testing time by 50 percent
May 14, 2015
Republican Newsroom

Press Release Poster

The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 74 yesterday with broad bipartisan support. HB 74, sponsored by State Representative Andrew O. Brenner (R-Powell), would revise the state assessments and examinations given to Ohio’s students.

Overall, the bill is expected to reduce testing time by 50 percent while ensuring continued local control over assessments used by schools and districts.  HB 74 aims to move Ohio away from a one-size-fits-all approach in favor of a more efficient operation of state assessments for local schools. Additionally, the bill provides a deadline for the completion of the ongoing review of academic content standards.

“During the course of this bill, we have heard from upset parents, stressed out students, and concerned teachers regarding the huge burden of the new standardized tests," Brenner said. "Students shouldn't be spending five months taking tests, and schools don't have the resources the PARCC exams require. This bill moves us one step closer to balancing measuring results with common sense."

Major provisions included in HB 74 are as follows:

  • Reduces the administration time for state assessments
    • Test administration time increased approximately 120 percent for the current       school year over the 2013-2014 school year due to the new assessments
  • Allows greater local control over decision making with regards to assessments used      to inform instruction
  • Delays online testing and a requirement that the Ohio Department of Education      evaluate districts’ technology needs for test administration
  • Prohibits state restrictions on local testing
  • Requires the Ohio Department of Education to identify assessments that can be used      for multiple purposes allowing local schools to reduce testing time
  • Increases local control over teacher evaluations
  • Requires teacher and administrative input in the selection of state assessments
  • Requires that new state assessments for the 2015-16 school year be selected based      on ease of administration and overall quality, as well as performance      benchmarks and cost
  • Requires the Ohio Department of Education to study the impact of online administration      of state assessments and report to the General Assembly and the governor      no later than June 30, 2016

House Bill 74 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.