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Testing

Student taking an assessment

OHIO TESTING

Federal and state laws require all districts and schools to test all students in specific grades and courses. There is no law that allows a parent or student to opt out of state testing, and there is no state test opt-out procedure or form. If a parent withdraws a child from participation in certain state tests, there may be consequences for the student, the student’s teacher, and the school and district.

WHY ARE STATE TESTS IMPORTANT?

State tests are critical for measuring student learning and ensuring that every Ohio student receives a high-quality education. The results from state tests are how we hold districts, schools and teachers accountable. 

PARTICIPATION POLICY

Participation Policy Ohio law requires public school districts and community schools to administer the state assessments assigned to each student’s enrolled grade level or course, regardless of the student’s time in Ohio public schools. There is no process allowing parents and/or students to indicate their choices to not participate in state testing. Schools must account for and report any student who did not participate in a required state test.

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS WHEN THEY DO NOT TAKE STATE TESTS

Schools must administer state tests and students are expected to take them. If a student does not participate in state testing, there may be consequences for the student, the student’s teacher, and the school and district.

THIRD GRADE READING GUARANTEE (TGRG)

a. A student who does not take the state’s grade 3 English language arts test will not have a score on that test and may not be promoted to the fourth grade as part of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, unless an exemption applies. For more information on exemptions, visit the Department’s website. TGRG

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students in the classes of 2023 and beyond (those who entered grade 9 on or after July 1, 2019) are now required to meet a new set of graduation requirements. These new graduation requirements consist of three key components:

  1. Course Completion Students will satisfy Ohio’s curriculum requirements and any additional local requirements. Students will complete the state minimum 20 units, with specific units required in each content area.
  2. Demonstrating Competency Students will demonstrate competency in the foundational areas of English language arts and mathematics or through alternative demonstrations, which include College Credit Plus, career-focused activities, their ACT or SAT scores, or military enlistment. See the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce competency scores here
  3. Demonstrating Readiness (Seals) Students will demonstrate readiness for their post-high school paths by earning two diploma seals that allow them to demonstrate important foundational and well-rounded academic and technical knowledge, professional skills, and leadership and reasoning skills. For more information, click here. NOTE: Retake Policy for End-of-Course Tests- Students may retake any end-of-course test prescribed in Ohio law. More information about retaking end-of-course tests can be found in the Resources section on the Testing page on the Department’s website.

STATE FUNDED ACT

State law requires districts and community schools to administer the state-funded ACT or SAT to all 7 | September 2023 grade 11 students in the spring of the school year. Each year, districts and schools will select the test to administer to their juniors. Please visit the Department’s webpage for additional information and resources. • State-Funded ACT Tests | Ohio Department of Education • State-Funded SAT Tests | Ohio Department of Education

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

Ohio has three English language proficiency assessments:  • Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS); OELPS info • Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA); and  • the Alternate Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment for English Learners with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities.  

To exit programming for an English Learner see the criteria here 

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS WHEN STUDENTS DO NOT TAKE STATE TESTS

1. Districts and schools receive no credit when a student doesn’t participate in state testing. This can negatively impact a district’s state A-F report card grades.

a. Families and businesses often consult A-F grades in choosing where to live, locate a business and how to vote on tax levies.

b. These grades also may impact school choice programs, flexibility on how funding is spent and which schools receive extra help from the state.

c. If student participation in a district drops below 95 percent overall or for specific subgroups of students, the district could face new restrictions on how it spends its money pursuant to federal law. Additionally, the district or school will receive demotions on their Gap Closing report card measure.

d. Students who do not participate in the required state tests will earn no points towards the school’s performance index score.

e. In the future, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will require schools and districts that do not meet the 95 percent participation requirement to develop a corrective action plan. They must use stakeholder input to develop a plan that will improve their participation rate.

2. Districts and schools cannot count students who do not take all required state tests in their average daily membership (ADM) for state funding, unless they obtain a waiver from the Department.

3. Teachers may be evaluated based, in part, on student test scores from the 20162017 school year. If a student does not take a state test, that student’s growth will not be included in the teacher’s evaluation.

4. Teachers will not have access to advanced diagnostic information from state tests, such as student growth projections, to help inform instruction.

WHAT STATE TEST MEASURE

Ohio's State Tests measure each child's progress according to Ohio's Learning Standards. These standards tell teachers what their students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course. The standards also call for students to apply critical thinking, problem-solving and writing skills to what they are learning. Test your child will take if in:

  • 3rd grade, Reading (fall and spring), Math (spring)
  • 4th grade, Reading and Math (spring)
  • 5th grade, Reading, Math and Science (spring)
  • 6th grade, Reading, Math (spring)
  • 7th grade, Reading and Math (spring)
  • 8th grade, Reading, Math and Science (spring)
  • High School State Test-Your child will test in the following areas when enrolled in the course:

English Language Arts II, Algebra I, Geometry, American Government, American History, Biology 

 

Testing Resources