Standardized Testing

Education news, analysis, and opinion about assessments that allow for comparisons across students and groups of students
Albertville City Schools has one of the state's largest populations of immigrant students on June 11, 2025 in Albertville, located in northeast Alabama. More than a third of students are English learners.
Albertville City Schools has one of the state's largest populations of immigrant students on June 11, 2025 in Albertville, located in northeast Alabama. More than a third of students are English learners. Not all states offer assessments in English learners' native languages.
Rebecca Griesbach
English Learners These States Now Offer Tests for English Learners in Their Native Languages
Native language assessments can help capture English learners' academic knowledge.
Ileana Najarro, July 29, 2026
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1 min read
As part of Portland Parks environmental education, preschoolers and their parents take part in a guided nature hike through Laurelhurst Park on Feb. 13, 2026. Fewer than 60% of Oregon parents report their young child has hit milestones to be ready for kindergarten.
Preschoolers and their parents take part in a Portland Parks guided nature hike through Laurelhurst Park in Oregon on Feb. 13, 2026. A growing number of preschools nationwide rely on early assessments to gauge baseline development and progress. But many teachers express concerns.
Ross William Hamilton/oregonlive.com via TNS
Early Childhood Too Young to Test? How Teachers Feel About Early Childhood Assessments
A growing number of early elementary public school students are required to take assessments.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 28, 2026
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5 min read
Yamileth Escalera tosses a red foam cube into a container full of water during a pre-K prep program at Castleberry Elementary School in Fort Worth on June 29, 2026. The students had to guess whether their chosen object would float or sink when dropped in water.
During a pre-K prep program at Castleberry Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 29, 2026, Yamileth Escalera tosses a red foam cube into a container of water as part of an activity where students guess whether their chosen object will float or sink. Increasingly, students in pre-K and kindergarten are required to complete standardized assessments to measure their development and preparedness.
Elvis Martinez-Cartagena/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via TNS
Early Childhood Q&A This State Has a New Kindergarten Assessment—No Computer, Pen or Paper Required
The assessment evaluates 16 items in four separate foundational skills categories.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 24, 2026
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8 min read
Group spreads college gospelAlex Lucas, right, a college adviser at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, N.C., works with junior Chloe Lester during an ACT Prep session after school, March 11, 2014.
Alex Lucas, right, a college adviser at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, N.C., works with junior Chloe Lester during an ACT prep session after school on March 11, 2014. ETS, another assessment organization, is acquiring ACT—though nothing will immediately change for students taking the ACT's college-entrance exam.
Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News &amp; Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty <br/>
Assessment ETS Acquires ACT, Signaling Potential Changes for College-Admissions Testing
ETS will acquire ACT, the assessment company known for its college-entrance exam.
Sarah Schwartz, June 30, 2026
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3 min read
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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