HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that his administration will move all standardized school assessment tests online in an effort to save more classroom time for instruction, create a user-friendly exam for students and relieve a burden from teachers and administrators.
Shapiro, in a news conference at Northgate Middle School just outside Pittsburgh, said about one-third of Pennsylvania schools already provide the tests online and that, in 2026, all schools will be required to administer the tests online, instead of through pencil-and-paper tests.
Students will be able to complete the tests more quickly, saving an average of 30 minutes per test. Teachers and administrators will be relieved of the burden of receiving, preparing, administering, boxing up and shipping back test booklets.
That will mean “less testing and more learning” in schools, Shapiro said. He said he would like to get rid of the federally required standardized tests altogether, but that would mean losing $600 million in federal aid.
With Anthony Richardson on board, Colts will look beyond quarterback in NFL draft
Voting begins in Singapore general election
EU condemns Turkish decision to convert Hagia Sophia back to mosque
Commanders are in line to take a quarterback with the NFL draft's 2nd pick
Desert locusts seen in Sanaa, Yemen
Fireworks light up sky over Eiffel Tower to celebrate Bastille Day
'Dazi culture' increasingly popular among young Chinese
Two shootings, two different responses — Maine restricts guns while Iowa arms teachers
Voting begins in Singapore general election
Philadelphia Eagles want draft picks to play well, do the right thing and retire with the franchise
Novel coronavirus has existed worldwide before emerging in China: Oxford University expert