More than 40 Social Justice, Disability Rights and Educational

Organizations Release Statement in Support of Testing 

“We are pleased to see that the U.S. Department of Education will not consider blanket waivers of the critical civil rights component of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that requires high quality, statewide assessments..." was the opening statement of a release from 45 advocacy organizations. 

The statement goes on to recognize the challenges to states and school districts as a result of COVID-19 in administering assessments, however they also cite the unique challenges of many marginalized students who have had their learning interrupted.

"Data on multiple measures, including school climate, student access to resources and opportunities, and student learning outcomes, are essential tools to address systemic inequities in our education system, as well as to gauge the quality of instruction and support offered under COVID-19 restrictions," the release states.

The groups state that they" will closely watch as the Department works with states to ensure they are administering statewide assessments, as well as collecting and publicly reporting on multiple measures of the student experience for the 2020–21 school year."  The statement, in its entirety, can be read at this link :https://edtrust.org/p/57329. ATP and other members of the Educational Testing Coalition have been advocating for the past 12 months that, more than ever during COVID, states need to test students under Title 1 to identify where individuals need remediation when they return to the classroom or continue remote learning and that the Department of Education should not grant blanket waivers of required 2001 testing.