Not all Colorado students in grades three through eight will be required to take every statewide assessments this year after the U.S. Department of Education last month approved the state education department’s request for a change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Third, fifth and seventh graders will be required to take the English, Language Arts Colorado Measure of Academic Success tests, while fourth, sixth and eighth graders will take the math assessment. Eight graders are also required to take the end of the year science test. 

However, parents and caregivers can choose to have their children take both English language arts and math CMAS tests, said Jeremy Meyer, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Education. 

Additionally, the federal education department approved another CDOE waiver, which will allow the state to still receive federal funding without reporting accountability data. 

Traditionally, 95% of Colorado students are required to participate in the assessments as part of the Every Student Success Act, which has also been waived for the 2020-2021 school year.

Douglas County School District names new superintendent

In return, the state is required to make data of chronic absenteeism and student and or teacher access to technology devices and high-speed internet publicly available. 

“It remains vitally important that parents, educators, and the public have access to data on student learning and success,” wrote Ian Rosenblum, deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs at the U.S. DOE. 

The Colorado Department of Education submitted a waiver to the U.S. DOE requesting permission to partially waive state assessment requirements earlier this year.

Their request also included reducing the number of tests students would take and eliminate the science test that would be administered in the spring.

Adams 12 Five Star deputy superintendent named new superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools

Traditionally, state education departments are required to submit information regarding academic achievement and growth in English language arts and mathematics, English language proficiency for English learners, graduation rates and school quality or student success data as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. 

Although the state was granted a waiver this year, the general practices will resume next school year, according to the release.

Last month, the Colorado General Assembly passed legislature HB 21-1161, which suspended statewide tests for certain students. Gov. Jared Polis has since signed the bill into law. 

This story has been updated to clarify that the waiver approved this week allows the state to not submit accountability data to the federal education department. Previously, the story indicated both waivers were approved this week.