STATE TESTING REQUIREMENTS WAIVED FOR STUDENTS BY CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forcing school closures throughout the state and across the country, in order to reduce the strain on students, educators and parents, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order today suspending the state testing requirement for 2019-20.

“This time is stressful enough for students, families and educators without the additional burden of annual testing,” said Governor Newsom. “This is an unprecedented time, and our main focus is on supporting the mental and socioemotional health of students, while continuing to provide educational opportunities such as distance learning.” The executive order states: “It is hereby ordered that Education Code section 6064 (a), requiring that all pupils be administered academic assessments in mathematics, English language arts, and science, as provided for in Education Code section 60640, is waived for the 2019-20 school year for all schools in the state for which the United States Department of Education approves, based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and school communities throughout California, a federal waiver of requirements to administer those academic assessments.”