Education board to weigh call to reduce student testing

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The State Board of Education will consider a resolution to reduce testing for Indiana students amid growing concern about the time and costs spent on those exams.

Board member Sarah O’Brien on Wednesday called for shortening future ISTEP+ exams and eliminating other tests that she says exceed state and federal requirements.

O’Brien’s proposal will be considered at the April 1 state board meeting.

It is the latest move in a battle that erupted when schools learned that this year’s ISTEP+ exam would take twice as long due to changes in the test to align with new state academic standards.

Lawmakers passed legislation shaving about three hours from that time.

O’Brien says she also wants to stop the state from finalizing nearly $134 million in contracts for testing programs through 2017.