A state committee must decide whether a bill exempting some students from standardized tests moves to the full House. The measure offers parents a process to get their kids out of taking the assessments. Supporters of House Bill 1187 say test taking should be their choice.
State Representative Jim Bolin is an outspoken critic of Common Core education standards. He’s also vehemently opposed to the standardized testing South Dakota plans to use to gauge student achievement. Bolin says parents who don’t want their children taking Smarter Balanced exams this spring should be allowed exemptions.
"The reason I am bringing this bill is to first provide a mechanism so that our state and local school districts can avoid – and I’m going to choose my words very carefully now – low-level, non-confrontational acts of civil disobedience," Bolin says.
Bolin says the testing tool simply mines data from students. Other supporters of House Bill 1187 say the state violates parental rights when forcing them to make their kids take the Smarter Balanced assessment.
South Dakota’s Department of Education leaders disagree. Secretary Melody Schopp says allowing exemptions from standardized tests destroys accountability. She says she spoke with a high school student visiting the Capitol this week.
"I talked to him, and I said, ‘How would you feel if your friend didn’t have to take the yearly assessment because his parents allowed him or her not to be tested?’ Instantly his response was, ‘So why should I take it if they don’t?’" Schopp says. "Is this truly the attitude we want to instill in our kids today?"
Schopp says teachers use test results to determine what students comprehend and where they need additional help. She says eroding the pool of students taking the exams skews results.
Wednesday the House Education committee heard testimony on House Bill 1187. Members are waiting to hold a final vote.