Louisiana Senate Bill SCR72

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/22/20
• Refer: 5/25/20
• Report Pass: 5/28/20
• Passed: 5/29/20
• Engrossed: 5/29/20

Caption

Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the necessity to suspend all statewide assessments for the 2020-21 school year.

Impact

The passage of SCR72 would have a direct impact on how education is administered in Louisiana during the pandemic era. By suggesting the suspension of statewide assessments, the resolution acknowledges that traditional metrics for evaluating student performance may not be appropriate or accurate during such unprecedented times. This marks a shift in focus from standardized assessment metrics to a more holistic approach, which considers the unique circumstances surrounding student and teacher experiences during school closures.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 72 (SCR72) was introduced to address the challenges faced by students and educators during the 2020-2021 school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution urges and requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the necessity of suspending all statewide assessments for that academic year. The bill highlights the significant disruptions in education caused by school closures, which began in March 2020, and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of students and educators over standardized testing results.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR72 has been largely supportive, reflecting a collective understanding of the challenges brought on by COVID-19. Education advocates, teachers, and lawmakers acknowledged that the anxiety and instability caused by the pandemic would likely detrimentally affect student learning and assessment performance. As a result, many view the bill as a necessary response to ensure that educational practices remain flexible and adaptive to current public health concerns.

Contention

While SCR72 garnered widespread support, there may still be underlying concerns regarding the long-term implications of suspending statewide assessments. Critics of such measures may argue that suspending assessments could undermine accountability measures and the ability to gauge student progress in critical areas. However, proponents contend that during this extraordinary circumstance, the focus must shift towards supporting students and educators rather than enforcing standard testing protocols.