New testing law looks to survive Md. Senate

Less testing, more learning unanimously passed the Maryland House and now sits in the Senate.

The bill would limit test time to 2 percent of class time.  That equates to 21.6 hours for students through Middle School, and 23.6 hours for High Schoolers.

Betty Weller, President of the Maryland State Education Association is an advocate for the law.

“We have, in the time of No Child Left Behind, put an overemphasis on testing and test scores.  And it’s gotten to the point where districts are spending 30, 40, even 50 hours a year testing instead of teaching.”

Joan Smith, President of the Wicomico County Education Association echoed those sentiments.

“I’m just thrilled that legislatures listened to our educators… Our students are going to have more opportunities to grow emotionally and socially.”

An identical bill passed the House last year with a unanimous vote, but did not make it through the Senate in the final weeks of a 90-day assembly. 

There are 31 co-sponsors of the 47 members in the Senate.  The bill is currently in the Senate Education, Health and Environment Affairs Committee.