A Statement from PAGE: SB 367 & State-Mandated Testing
Issued June 25, 2020
Educators believe in accountability for their students and their learning. Educators know also that high-stakes testing is not what drives commitment and accountability. In ways big and small, educators demonstrated their personal and professional accountability during school closures when 2020 assessments were waived. PAGE members appreciate Gov. Brian Kemp, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and state legislators for reducing state-mandated tests, reflected in approval of SB 367. This PAGE-supported bill accomplishes one of our members’ top 2020 legislative priorities. In addition to our PAGE legislative team’s direct advocacy at the General Assembly, many PAGE members contacted their legislators, encouraging them to approve the bill. PAGE supports robust, stakeholder-involved accountability that captures the successes and challenges of all that schools must do for student benefit. These successes and challenges include the full scope of what educators do every day to help students discover and develop their talents and skills. Ten Georgia school districts, in collaboration with PAGE, have designed a system called True Accountability for Georgia Schools (TAGS) that provides a more complete accountability system for schools and communities. Click here for more information.