Testing Transparency

Sections 1112(e)(2)(A)-(B) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires the following regarding testing transparency.

(2) TESTING TRANSPARENCY—

(A) IN GENERAL. – At the beginning of each school year, a local educational agency that receives funds under this part shall notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving funds under this part that the parents may request, and the local educational agency will provide the parents on request (and in a timely manner), information regarding any State or local educational agency policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by section 1111(b)(2) and by the State or local educational agency, which shall include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable.

(B) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. – Subject to subparagraph (C), each local educational agency that receives funds under this part shall make widely available through public means (including by posting in a clear and easily accessible manner on the local educational agency’s website and, where practicable, on the website of each school served by the local educational agency) for each grade served by the local educational agency, information on each assessment required by the State to comply with section 1111, other assessments required by the State, and where such information is available and feasible to report, assessments required districtwide by the local educational agency, including—

(i) the subject matter assessed;

(ii) the purpose for which the assessment is designed and used;

(iii) the source of the requirement for the assessment; and

(iv) where such information is available—(I) the amount of time students will spend taking the assessment, and the schedule for the assessment; and (II) the time and format for disseminating results.

Information about these requirements can be found on the Kentucky Department of Education’s Assessments webpage (https://education.ky.gov/AA/Assessments/Pages/default.aspx). For further questions or to obtain a hard copy of this material please direct your inquiry to Kim Holt, District Assessment Coordinator by phone at 270-653-4044 or by email at kim.holt@hickman.kyschools.us.