A bill approved by the Virginia Senate would eliminate standardized testing for the state’s 3rd graders in science and history. The measure, which passed with bipartisan support 33-7, would limit Virginia’s Standards of Learning tests to only reading and mathematics at the 3rd grade, according to the Daily Press newspaper, of Newport News, Va.
Advocates emphasized that science and history would not be abandoned, but Sen. Mark Obenshain, a Republican who voted against the bill, said he was concerned that 3rd graders would no longer be taught those subjects.
The bill, approved last month, was reportedly backed by a number of statewide education groups, including those representing school boards, superintendents, and elementary principals.
