Standardized Testing

Education news, analysis, and opinion about assessments that allow for comparisons across students and groups of students
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The civics ed. field is ready to update the framework of an exam that dates back. Brochures at a conference on America's 250th anniversary are shown in Philadelphia, on Feb. 7, 2026.
Matthew Ludak for Education Week
Social Studies Q&A The Only National Civics Test Dates Back Decades. What Aspects Need to Change?
The test needs to factor in more recent developments such as the widespread use of social media.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 21, 2026
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4 min read
An American flag decorates the door of the first-grade classroom at North Valley Academy, a patriotic-themed charter school, in Gooding, Idaho on May 7, 2012.
An American flag decorates the door of the first-grade classroom at North Valley Academy, a patriotic-themed charter school, in Gooding, Idaho on May 7, 2012.
Jessie L. Bonner/AP
Assessment NAEP Civics Tests Could Expand to Offer State-by-State Results
The first-ever state-by-state civics results are on the table, as is a new framework for the exam.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 18, 2026
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6 min read
A pencil leaning against the wall. The shadow of a ladder shade reflected on the wall.
Education Week + E+/Getty
Federal Opinion Trump's K-12 Leader: Let’s Improve Assessment Without Sacrificing Accountability
The Ed. Dept. is shrinking the federal footprint but raising academic expectations, says Kirsten Baesler.
Kirsten Baesler, May 15, 2026
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4 min read
The Plumbing department, located in the school's well-equipped shop facility, alongside other trades including masonry and carpentry.
The plumbing department in a New Jersey technology high school. As the Trump administration invites states to request waivers from federal school accountability requirements, two have proposed changes that would emphasize career-oriented tests as opposed to more traditional academic knowledge tests.
Oliver Farshi for Education Week
Every Student Succeeds Act These States Want to Move Away From a 'College for All' Approach to Testing
Two states have pitched changes to their high school assessments to emphasize workforce preparation.
Alyson Klein, April 28, 2026
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7 min read
Young student in a school computer lab concentrates on a laptop while wearing pink headphones; classmates work nearby in a bright, collaborative learning environment focused on technology and study.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Assessment Students Can Hear Questions Aloud When They Take Many Tests. Does It Help?
Text-to-speech tech helps some students answer questions correctly, but hurts others' performance.
Alyson Klein, April 27, 2026
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2 min read
TeachersAI SG01
Teachers attend a training session on using artificial intelligence at American Federation of Teachers headquarters in New York City on March 18, 2026. The union has partnered with AI developers to train 400,000 teachers on AI use in the classroom. One question teachers face is how best to use the technology as part of testing students' subject mastery.
Salwan Georges for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence How AI Could Help or Hurt Student Testing
There's a balance to strike that uses AI to improve assessments and keep humans in charge, experts say.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, March 23, 2026
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4 min read
State stamps coming apart on a data textured background
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty
Every Student Succeeds Act See Which States Want Ed. Dept.'s OK to Change Testing, Federal School Funding
States are seeking potentially significant changes to implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Alyson Klein, March 16, 2026
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1 min read
Education Secretary Linda McMahon and former Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, right, are seen after a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House, on March 6, 2026, in Washington. McMahon last year encouraged states to seek flexibility from federal requirements. Now, states have begun to respond to that invitation.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon is pictured with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House on March 6, 2026. McMahon last year encouraged states to seek flexibility from federal education requirements. States are responding to that invitation.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Every Student Succeeds Act In 'Returning Education to the States,' How Far Will Trump's Ed. Dept. Go?
States' requests for new flexibility from the feds will test just how far the department can go.
Alyson Klein, March 11, 2026
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9 min read
Vector illustration of an open laptop on a blue background. Out from the laptop screen flows a long trail of paper of which shows a sample graphic and multiple choice question from the WIDA ACCESS online quiz.
iStock/Getty + WIDA ACCESS online exam
English Learners Thousands More English Learners Will Soon Be Taking a Popular Language Exam
New York to end its traditional language-proficency exam in favor of a digital test.
Ileana Najarro, December 19, 2025
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4 min read
Artificial Intelligence Reports Six Big Questions About AI and K-12 Education, In Charts
This report examines AI’s impact in K-12 education. Survey results that provide insight into educators’ perspectives are presented in charts.
November 10, 2025
A principal looks through a telescope as he plans for the future school year based on test scores.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Assessment Opinion Principals Often Misuse Student Achievement Data. Here’s How to Get It Right
Eight recommendations for digging into standardized-test data responsibly.
David E. DeMatthews & Lebon "Trey" D. James III, October 28, 2025
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4 min read
Students Taking Exam in Classroom Setting. Students are seated in a classroom, writing answers during an exam, highlighting focus and academic testing.
iStock/Getty
Assessment Explainer What Is the Classic Learning Test, and Why Is It Popular With Conservatives?
A relative newcomer has started to gain traction in the college-entrance-exam landscape—especially in red states.
Sarah Schwartz, September 22, 2025
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9 min read
A stylized, faceless student has a smooth, open head with a glowing smartphone rising from it, symbolizing the smart phone and social media's impact on NAEP scores.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Standards & Accountability Opinion Student Test Scores Keep Falling. What’s Really to Blame?
There’s strong circumstantial evidence pointing to a particular culprit. (Hint: It’s not the pandemic.)
Martin R. West, September 9, 2025
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5 min read
A teacher at Audrey H. Lawson Middle School in Houston, Texas, marks a grade on a class worksheet on Sept. 6, 2023.
A teacher at Audrey H. Lawson Middle School in Houston marks a grade on a worksheet on Sept. 6, 2023. Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that would drop the state's once-a-year STAAR test in favor of a model in which students are tested three times a year.
Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP
States The Future of Annual State Testing Is in the Trump Admin.’s Hands
The Ed. Dept. has invited states to request waivers from accountability requirements.
Brooke Schultz, September 8, 2025
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7 min read