Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Public Comment Opens On School Testing Waivers

iStock

The Montana Office of Public Instruction is asking the public to comment on federal waivers for testing requirements and school performance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the waivers, Montana school districts aren’t required to hold standardized testing, won’t be graded on their students' performance and have greater flexibility in how they spend federal dollars.

Credit iStock

Typically, when a state requests a waiver for a federal requirement, it has to conduct public comment in order to assess the impact of the request before it’s implemented, but due to the immediate health crisis posed by COVID-19, Montana was allowed to immediately implement federal waivers as they were approved.

OPI says this comment period will help it determine the impact on districts and whether the waivers need to be amended.

Find out how to share your comments.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Aaron is Montana Public Radio's Flathead reporter.