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Requests for Waivers of Federal Assessment and Accountability Requirements
Overview
Federal and state law requires students in Colorado to take annual assessments in English language arts, math and science. Those results let families, educators and policymakers know how students are progressing academically, and they are required to be used in the accountability system that identifies schools and districts for support and improvement.
Normally, students in third through eighth grade take assessments each year in both English language arts and math. Tests in science are taken once in elementary school, once in middle school and once again in high school.
Facing unique challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, schools have had to make adjustments throughout the year. Likewise, to ease the burden on students and teachers, the state is seeking an adjustment to the statewide assessments and the accountability system.
The state legislature passed and the governor signed a bill reducing the number of CMAS tests students would take if the federal government waives the requirements for the tests. The bill requires districts to administer English language arts tests to students in third, fifth and seventh grade, and math to students in fourth, sixth and eighth grade; however, parents may choose to have their children take both assessments. The bill would also pause the school and district accountability system if the federal government waives the accountability law. Prioritizing the number of assessments given this spring will allow Colorado to evaluate how the pandemic has impacted student achievement across the state and direct resources to meet the greatest needs while also preserving valuable instructional time for educators and students.
Assessment Waiver
- View the Waiver: View Colorado's request to waive federal assessment requirements (PDF).
- Send Your Feedback: You are invited to send your feedback on Colorado's plan to reduce the assessments taken by students in grades three through eight. Please submit your comments by March 31 using this online form.
- Envíe sus comentarios: se le invita a enviar sus comentarios sobre el plan de Colorado para reducir las evaluaciones realizadas por los estudiantes del tercer al octavo grado. Envíe sus comentarios antes del 31 de Marzo mediante este formulario en línea.
Accountability Waiver
- View the Waiver: View Colorado's request to waive federal accountability requirements (PDF).
- Send Your Feedback: You are invited to send your feedback on Colorado's plan to pause the accountability system. Please submit your comments by March 31, 2021 to ESSAquestions@cde.state.co.us.
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