Youngstown Daily Legal News

Ohio Education Association wants to hit 'pause button' on new testing standards

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: November 10, 2014

The Ohio Education Association has lauded the introduction of a bill that calls for a longer safe harbor on school performance rankings and teacher evaluations that are based on student achievement.

House Bill 642, sponsored by Rep. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, would establish a three-year suspension of high-stakes decisions based on student test scores in measuring student growth and evaluating teacher performance.

The measure was filed into the Ohio General Assembly this week.

If enacted, HB 642 would build off the mid-biennium review legislation that created a similar, one-year safe harbor.

In a statement, OEA President Becky Higgins praised the bill’s provisions and noted that Republican Sen. Peggy Lehner, the chair of the Senate Education Committee, has said kids are being over-tested.

“We urge state lawmakers to hit the pause button and determine which tests are actually needed and which are also appropriate for the grade level at which they’re being administered,” she said.

HB 642 would adjust Ohio law to state that the report card ratings issued for the 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17 school years shall not be considered in determining whether a school district or a school is subject to sanctions or penalties.

However, under continuing law, the report card ratings of any previous or subsequent years can be considered in determining whether a school district or building is subject to sanctions or penalties.

The bill goes on to state that the ratings for the proposed three-year time block would not create a new starting point for determinations that are based on ratings over multiple years.

With the use of the new Common Core standards in Ohio schools and the prospect of even more tests being conducted, the OEA believes it is important to take more time to make sure the implementation of these standards goes well.

“We’ve seen what has happened in other states where the hasty implementation of Common Core and the related testing has led to a backlash among parents, students and educators,” Higgins said.

“We support Ohio’s new learning standards, but we want to make sure Ohio gets it right. That’s why we think taking the time to ‘test the tests’ would be a prudent course to follow.”

In addition to addressing sanctions and penalties, HB 642 states that notwithstanding anything in Ohio law to the contrary, the board of education of a school district, the governing authority of a community school or the governing body of a STEM school must not use the student academic growth ratings issued for the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years for purposes of teacher evaluations.

The ratings for those school years also could not be used when making decisions regarding the dismissal, retention, tenure or compensation of the district’s or school’s teachers.

The OEA, which represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities, voted unanimously last spring to support a three-year safe harbor.

The organization expressed appreciation that nearly 20 lawmakers have signed on to co-sponsor HB 642.

“We recognize the need for a comprehensive assessment of student growth. But student assessments should not be overly-dependent on the results of standardized tests,” Higgins said, adding that she believes students are spending too much time preparing for and taking tests.

“There needs to be a more balanced approach to identifying the strengths and needs of students.”

HB 642 has gained support from Democratic Reps. Kathleen Clyde, Heather Bishoff, Michael Stinziano, Robert Hagan, Matt Lundy, Ron Hood, Ron Gerberry, Nick Barborak, Dale Mallory, Stephen Slesnick, Debbie Phillips and Dan Ramos.

Democratic Reps. Mike Foley, Jack Cera, Nickie Antonio, John Patterson, Denise Driehaus, Michael Sheehy and John Rogers have also co-sponsored the proposal.

The bill is awaiting a committee assignment.

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