Test scores from new Common Core State Standards assessments are trickling in. But in nearly half the states, the results won’t have an effect on school ratings on state accountability systems, at least not for the 2014-15 school year.
The U.S. Department of Education gave states transitioning to new tests the option to “pause” state-level accountability last school year to give schools breathing room as they adjusted to new tests and standards. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia took the department up on it. All but one proposal has been approved.
The change means that a school that had a high rating in 2013-14, but maybe didn’t perform so well on new assessments, won’t necessarily have to worry about suddenly dropping from say, an A to a D.
