High Stakes Testing (H 7413A, S 2274)

In March, the Affiliate testified before the House Health, Education and Welfare committee in favor of legislation to prevent the use of standardized tests as a barrier to graduation.  In 2014, Rhode Island is scheduled to begin such “high stakes testing”, which civil rights and advocacy groups note would prevent approximately 90% or more of special education, limited English proficient, economically disadvantaged, Latino or African-American students from graduating.  This legislation would not bar districts from administering standardized tests, but would require the tests to be used for their intended purpose: identifying struggling schools and students in order to provide appropriate support and interventions.  Despite vocal support of the legislation by the ACLU and education groups, the bill failed to move out of committee in its original form.  Instead, the House passed a resolution requiring the study and review of standardized testing programs, with recommendations presented to the House in March 2013.