Feingold Bill Creates ESEA Testing Opt-Out

School districts would have the chance to opt out of new federal math and reading test requirements, under a bill introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

The Student Testing Flexibility Act of 2002 would allow states and school districts that can show they are improving or are meeting annual educational goals to apply for a three-year waiver from the testing.

The test requirements for 3rd- through 8th-graders are a cornerstone of the revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Feingold agrees there should be accountability in schools, but says too much testing is counterproductive.

“Some tests are needed to ensure that our children are keeping pace,” he said. “But taking time to test students has to take a back seat to taking the time to teach students in the first place.”

The state already requires testing at 3rd, 4th, 8th and 10th grades.
WEAC has written a letter in support of the bill. It says the bill provides flexibility and maintains local control – something Wisconsin values and the reason Wisconsin has great schools. The new regiment of tests required in ESEA will be extremely costly and will take time away from valuable classroom instruction, according to the WEAC letter. It says the bill would still allow the current set of tests, which sufficiently serves the accountability requirements in ESEA.

WEAC members can learn more about the ESEA law by visiting the Members Only Web site.

Posted October 23, 2002