South Carolina state accountability testing waived due to coronavirus closures
The U.S. Department of Education approved South Carolina’s assessment and accountability testing waiver due to coronavirus closures, state officials announced Monday.
As a result, none of the following assessment programs will be administered for spring 2020 if and when students return to the classroom: SC READY (English language arts and mathematics in grades 3–8); SCPASS (science in grades 4 and 6); End-of-Course Examination Program (English, Algebra, Biology, United States History and the Constitution) the requirement that these examinations count 20 percent has been waived; Prekindergarten assessments; and Alternate Assessments.
“The suspension of South Carolina’s student assessments will allow educators to focus on meeting the needs of students and relieve undue anxiety faced by parents and students,” State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said in a news release.
“Our efforts must be concentrated on addressing this unprecedented public health pandemic. I appreciate Secretary DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education recognizing this and swiftly approving our waiver request.”
The SC Department of Education is also working closely with college entrance, college credit and workforce readiness assessments to explore alternate approaches, including testing online, according to the release, which adds that districts are allowed to administer these assessments, including SAT, ACT and AP exams, to students who need them for post-secondary or employment aspirations.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 2:08 PM with the headline "South Carolina state accountability testing waived due to coronavirus closures."
