Congresswoman Bonamici Applauds Progress in Reducing Over-Testing in Schools

Statement

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) responded to the Department of Education's announcement of new guiding principles for assessments in K-12 education:

"I am pleased the Department of Education is putting forward principles that promote fewer, more effective assessments in our nation's classrooms. The action plan released today is a good start. Assessments are important tools for providing feedback to educators and families, but too much focus on testing impedes teaching and learning. That's why I've introduced the Support Making Assessments Reliable and Timely (SMART) Act, and continue to advocate for a better approach to assessments. Although it is encouraging to see the Department's support for helping states and school districts identify and eliminate redundant tests that monopolize time and resources, as well as for giving states the resources and flexibility to pilot innovative assessment systems, we have more to do to make sure testing does not play an outsize role in our schools. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Department to enact policies that lead to fewer, better assessments for our educators and students."

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