Shorter standardized tests coming to Pa. public schools

The Wolf administration is making changes to standardized testing in Pennsylvania elementary schools. Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday that the changes will mean students spending at least 20 percent less time on state exams.

Throughout his first term, Wolf said, he’s heard repeatedly from parents and teachers that federally mandated state testing sucks up too much class time.

In the spring, he said, a new test will be launched as a way of combating that.

“This change will allow students and teachers to focus their classroom time on getting the education they need, rather than preparing for one exam,” he said.

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests will still meet state Education Department standards.

“We’re not reducing — we’re preserving, in fact — the effectiveness for measuring student progress,” Wolf said. “We understand the accountability issue, we understand the need for understanding how we’re doing in educating our children.”

Kids in third through eighth grades take the tests. They measure competency in English language arts, math, and, in certain years, science.