States Allowed to Try More Than One Test as Part of Innovative Assessment Pilot?
January 2, 2019
According to Alyson Klein in Education Week, a December message from federal officials to the Georgia Department of Education, state officials who are thinking about applying for ESSA’s Innovative Assessment pilot program “don’t have to pick just one exam for your test drive—but you do have to end up with a single test in the end.” This conclusion is prompted by the Peach State’s plan to “allow districts, at least initially, to join one of three consortia working to develop formative assessments, which aim to give teachers a real-time picture” of student achievement. There are concerns, however, if this approach adheres to existing ESSA regulations. Although the Department’s response indicates states have additional flexibility within the pilot program, ultimately, states must have one assessment to be implemented statewide.