DENVER – Facing pressure in the final days of the legislative session, Colorado lawmakers made the most significant progress yet on reducing student testing, advancing two measures at the end of the week.
But the controversial issue is far from settled, as the two bills collide over ninth-grade assessments and local control.
Both bills are awaiting final votes in their respective chambers, followed by additional debate, which likely would lead to additional changes.
With a political backdrop over federal testing standards, including the controversial Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exams, lawmakers are finding themselves navigating a maze of interests, including a loud cry from parents, teachers, administrators and political groups.
“We are reducing testing. I can’t tell you what it’s going to look like, but there will be fewer assessments,” said Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida, who is sponsoring a House version of testing reform.
House Bill 1323 is believed to have the best chance of becoming law, because it closely resembles recommendations made earlier this year by a task force led by Durango School District 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger, which includes eliminating several tests in 11th and 12th grades, other than the ACT.
Senate Bill 257 is murky, however, because the bill leaves ninth-grade assessments optional and offers local districts the ability to develop a patchwork of tests.
Assuming there is a lack of consensus between the House and Senate, it would be up to a conference committee to develop a compromise that might earn the governor’s signature. That could involve narrowing the two bills down to one proposal before the session will end May 6.
Gov. John Hickenlooper is skeptical of a sweeping reduction in testing, suggesting that he would like to place more credence on the task force’s recommendations. He joined former Govs. Bill Owens, a Republican, and Roy Romer, a Democrat, to warn against such an expansive reduction.
“They came up with a pretty coherent, integrated set of recommendations, so I supported that from the beginning,” Hickenlooper said.
The recommendations from the study group stopped at ninth-grade assessments, as the commission was unable to reach consensus.
Sen. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, who has supported efforts aimed at offering greater choice to parents and local districts, suggested that the Legislature needs to take a hard stance.
“Maybe the House isn’t listening to parents’ voices across the state,” Holbert said. “Maybe the governor isn’t listening.”