Biden administration says student testing must be done to gauge academic attainment during the pandemic

The Biden administration said Monday states must administer federally required standardized academic tests in 2021 after many students have attended school virtually for almost an entire year. States will be able to provide flexibility by giving shorter, remote, or delayed versions of the exams.

The decision is a signal the new administration sees test score data as part of its strategy for helping students recover from the pandemic.

Schools will have to find ways to safely administer tests to students, many of whom are still learning remotely. However, schools won’t be held accountable for the results.

“Kentucky’s business community was pleased to learn that the Biden administration will not offer blanket waivers that would allow states to not measure where students are academically. Collecting data on where students stand is vital so educators and policymakers know how to best respond to the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We applaud this decision and stand ready to assist in helping schools and students be successful,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts.