State-mandated testing returns to Mid-Missouri schools after pandemic pause
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri put state-mandated exams on hold last year as many students were learning online through the coronavirus pandemic, but the assessment is making a return this semester.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has mandated that students in grades 3-12 should take yearly standards-based testing during the spring 2021 semester.
Columbia Public Schools grandparent Karen Weaver said this is a great way for the districts to find out how much education, if any, was lost during the pandemic. Many educators, parents and education advocates have concerns that some students fell behind while schools were online-only. That was the case at CPS starting last spring until this semester. Elementary students returned to classrooms briefly in the fall before rising case levels sent them back online.
Weaver said she is in full support of the testing return. "It's possible that everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the results, and it's possible that we will see areas that need special targeted help for students. We don't know how or who until we have an objective way the last year of learning," Weaver said.
Students in Columbia Public Schools are taking the assessments starting this month. The testing, known as the Missouri Assessment Program, is important to districts because of the data it provides them about student learning but also because state and federal governments use the results as accountability measures.
Although tests will be given this year, the results this year will not be used as accountability measures. The State Board of Education made the decision in December based on concerns from Missouri education leaders about additional burdens on teachers who are already working under difficult circumstances.
"Educators make assessments all year long when it comes to the abilities of students and the progress of students and districts are making assessments as well," said Todd Fuller with the Missouri State Teachers Association.
Fuller said it takes weeks for teachers to get students ready for MAP testing and afterwards there is little time left in the school year for meaningful instruction.
"I don't think this one test, this one data point will provide any kind of meaningful insight into what's happened this year versus what's going to happen next year," Fuller said.
Third grade teacher at Grant Elementary, Ariel Schwarting, said she is using the time of her day previously used for teaching new styles of writing is now being used for preparing for testing by showing assessment tools on iPads.
Schwarting said, "For my class for third graders this is the first time they've taken the MAP test and my class last year that is now in fourth grade it is their first also so they're being challenged even more."
Schwarting said one assessment should not be what the state is basing education less off of and instead should trust a teacher perspective to know their students and the gaps they need to fill.
The assessment is a series of English language arts, mathematics and science tests for grades 3-8. The high school level also has an additional assessment on social studies. The testing window at CPS runs from April 7 to May 28.
The state education department has extended the testing window through June 15 with a 85% participation rate. Districts that do not reach that percentage will be required to apply to give assessments during the fall completion window from Sept. 7 through Sept. 30.
