Assessment Inventory Tool: Helping Districts Reduce Testing

Across the country, education leaders are adding their voices to the call to address the issue of overtesting in schools. Numerous studies, such as the one released by the Council of the Great City Schools over the weekend, have shown that too often, districts lack a coherent assessment strategy and administer too many tests that are not useful or of high quality.

To address these concerns and assist districts in identifying how much testing students face, Achieve developed the Student Assessment Inventory for School Districts, which was released in June 2014. Designed from a student perspective, the tool can be used by education leaders to make decisions about what amount of testing is appropriate and to be more transparent with parents about the testing in schools.

School district officials have the opportunity to respond to these concerns about overtesting by leading a conversation among educators and the broader community that directly addresses the amount of testing and points the way toward a more coherent, educationally sound approach to assessment.

The Student Assessment Inventory for School Districts supports a process by which districts evaluate current assessments, determine the minimum testing necessary to serve essential diagnostic, instructional, and accountability purposes, and work to ensure that every district-mandated test is useful and of high quality.

Districts and States Are Already Using the Tool (without the Feds)

Since its release last year, the tool has been adapted for local contexts and put into practice at both the district and state levels. One example is the state of Illinois, as described in Education Week's story, "Amid Cries of Overtesting, a Crazy Quilt of State Responses":

"Through a representative sample of parents, teachers, students, and administrators from 52 districts, a task force identified 17 tests that districts gave to fulfill state and federal mandates. And 16 of those tests, in turn, were also used to 'fulfill local purposes.' On average, districts used roughly two nonrequired standardized tests other than the state's English/language arts and math tests to fulfill federal and state mandates, and roughly one such test for local purposes. The districts' inventory program was modeled on Achieve's Student Assessment Inventory for School Districts. The rubric asks for 25 data points about each test, including who uses it and how much it costs. Districts can also alter the provided data points at their discretion."

The article also highlights how districts are adapting and using the tool:

"As a result of the inventory process, the Urbana district could soon eliminate a few benchmark tests given to students early in the school year, although final decisions about test reduction haven't been made. And Mr. Craig's West Aurora district is looking to end required administration of literacy and English-language-learner tests, as well as the ACT Explore exam."