HB 74

In the fall of last year Representative Andrew Brenner made a proposal to limit standardized testing to 4 hours per subject per year. Needless to say, the change would have had little effect at most levels. Because it did not meaningfully impact my students at the high school level, I emailed Rep Brenner to express my concern. I closed my email with the phrase "get ahold of me when you actually accomplish something."

He called me the next day, on the attack, assuming I was a nut job who knew nothing of his bill. When he found that was not the case, he assured me that bill was "just a beginning." I told him to let me know if I could be of assistance going forward.

Well, he is a man of his word. HB74 would limit high school tests to 3 hours per subject per year. In the words of his colleague Steve Huffman of the 80th District, "This will keep our students from being over-tested." I disagree. Below are my thoughts just emailed to Rep Brenner, and will email to all House Reps if this bill goes forward. What do you think? Let Andy Brenner know...    http://www.ohiohouse.gov/andrew-brenner 

Representative Brenner, 

I am a History Teacher from Elyria, Ohio. I would first like to commend you on your attempt, however incomplete, to remedy the issue of over-testing at the high school level. HB74's provision to limit testing to 3 hours per subject per year sounds like a significant measure. It is obviously more ambitious than your proposal from the fall that set the limitation at 4 hours. We spoke via telephone when you called my home after I critiqued that bill, and fortunately it went nowhere. 

While 4 hours had almost no effect on the existing system, 3 has little effect. This limit would impact testing in ELA and Mathematics, but do nothing to remedy over-testing in Science and Social Studies. The problem is in addressing this issue strictly in terms of time. This approach does nothing to limit testing sessions (multiple in math and ELA), and ignores the fact that students take the Performance Based Assessment in February/March and the End of Year Assessment in April/May. Regardless of time limitations, this system is terribly disruptive in the way it must be scheduled, and creates a situation where an increase in test review is absolutely necessary. This maintains an increase in testing over the former system which only furthers the culture of assessment which robs our students of instruction time. 

While many will appreciate the waiver for online testing that HB74 provides for 15-16, this only delays the inevitable, necessitating the administration of convoluted, confusing, and inappropriate computer based tests. The proposed system of allowing average Ohioans to comment on standards will certainly provide an excellent forum for people to vent, but really does not equate to meaningful dialogue. A better solution would be a forum of content specialists and teachers without bureaucrats or test company reps. 

While I appreciate the sentiment in HB74, I hope you will consider a revision. Let me know if there is anything I can do to be of assistance.