Bill providing school testing flexibility signed

Manning touts ‘brighter future’ for students

State Rep. Gayle Manning announced March 23 that House Bill 67 has been signed into law.

State Rep. Gayle Manning, RNorth Ridgeville, chair of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, announced March 23 that House Bill 67 has been signed into law.

The bill provides flexibility with testing and relief to school students who are returning to the classroom this spring, according to a news release from Manning.

“It was a lot of cooperation and work among so many stakeholders to get this bill approved by the Legislature,” she said. “I’m quite pleased with the organization and outcome of this process.”

Manning served as chair of the committee that held four hearings and oversaw 40 witness testimonies for the legislation, the release said.

Originally, the legislation sought a waiver for all federally mandated tests for the 2020-2021 school year.

However, the U.S. Department of Education sent out a notice recently that they would not be issuing any waivers of this kind for mandated testing for any schools in the U.S.

The bill then was changed to aid with testing for school districts and to assist with the needs of students across the state.

“Because of this legislation being signed, this will help immediately give flexibility to our local school districts throughout Ohio as they begin to administer testing to our students,” Manning said.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has left a bit of a dent within the state’s education system, but this bill is going to alleviate some of those issues that teachers and students faced, she said.

“We’re looking to a brighter future as all those within our education system get back to the classroom,” Manning said.

Several of the education-related provisions include the following:

• Allows students to use end of course grades instead of mandated tests for the graduation point system and grade equivalency system from House Bill 164 from the 133rd General Assembly

• Provides flexibility for graduation requirements

• Allows home educated schools to forgo end of year assessments

• Extends end of year testing windows to up to two weeks

• Extends date for reporting data for the state report card from Sept. 15 to Oct. 14

• Waives the state-only American history assessment

Last week, the General Assembly approved the legislation before it was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine.

An emergency measure was added to the bill, as a result, it will take immediate effect into law.

“I’m quite pleased with the organization and outcome of this process.” —State Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville