Georgia Takes First Steps Toward New Way of Testing Kids

Standardized testing has caused controversy in Georgia and around the country in recent years.

The testing ‘opt-out’ movement—where parents give permission for their children to skip testing–has gained momentum in states like New York, Colorado, and Florida.  The movement is smaller in Georgia, although state officials have been searching for ways to reduce overall testing.

A few years ago, the state did away with its high school graduation exam. The legislature also relaxed testing requirements for students taking advanced classes and reduced the overall number of tests students take. During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly passed a bill that created The Innovative Assessment Pilot Program. It lets school districts petition the state to develop their own testing programs that could eventually replace the state’s Georgia Milestones assessment.