Who is in charge of the Oklahoma School Testing Program?
Every day, some new, off-the-wall spin is rolled out to divert attention from the poor job performance of Oklahoma’s current State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Today’s pandering comes in the form of a plan to “overhaul” state testing because, of course, everyone hates state tests. And not being able to find qualified teachers; or having to pay for school lunches. …
Lots of folks reached out today and some have assumed this is a done deal. Like free school lunch. In my humble opinion as the public’s non-attorney spokesperson, I would offer that a quick scan of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes shows authority for the state tests rests with the State Board of Education, chaired by the State Superintendent but representing the will of the Legislature and the Governor. Note:
State tests must be implemented as authorized by the U.S. Department of Education if a state wants federal funding.
Tests must be criterion-referenced assessments, administered statewide, aligned to state subject-matter standards, and with some comparability to other staes. You can’t just buy one off the shelf.
There can be no benchmark assessments approved by the OSDE for use this spring unless the vendor has already been selected and a waiver from the federal government approved.
Thank God it’s Friday! Have a great weekend and feel free to join me here or here or here. Thanks! - WSP
