COLUMBUS – January 15, 2015 – The following statement is attributed to Becky Higgins, president of the Ohio Education Association:
“The OEA welcomes the recommendations made today by Dr. Ross, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, on how student testing can be reduced. Seeking an overall reduction of 20% is a good start. We look forward to working with legislators in achieving an appropriate level of testing.
A group of 12 OEA members from across Ohio recently met with Dr. Ross to share their classroom experiences about the impact of excessive testing on student learning. We appreciate having the opportunity to provide this input and thank Dr. Ross for extending this invitation to hear from professional educators before making his recommendations.
The challenge of reducing the number of tests being administered to students in Ohio extends beyond the state and local level. Federal lawmakers also have a role to play. As Congress begins its consideration of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), we urge members of the House and Senate to recognize that less mandated testing frees up time and resources, creates less pressure to ‘teach to the test,’ and allows educators to focus on what is most important — instilling a love of learning in their students.”
Join the conversation @OhioEA and Like Us at OhioEducationAssociation
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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org