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Board hears complaints of testing overload and unexpected Skyward roster changes; staff to present testing calendar
Summary
Board members and teachers raised concerns about the number and timing of required tests (including FAST and PM1/PM2/PM3) and abrupt student reassignments in Skyward after the winter break; staff agreed to compile a testing calendar for review to identify what the district can change.
Board members said teachers are reporting testing overload and disruptions from roster changes that occurred after the winter break.
The concerns matter because frequent standardized testing and unexplained schedule changes can reduce instructional time, frustrate teachers and confuse parents.
"My 5th grader in 1 school year is, like, taking 17 required testing with the fast, like, buy buy ready, and I just feel like sometimes it's test overload," a board member said, referencing FAST and multiple periodic measures (PM1, PM2, PM3). Multiple board members and teachers said students are being pulled out of classes for assessments, and teachers are finding it difficult to both teach curriculum and ensure students are prepared for the various tests.
Members also raised a separate concern: several teachers returned from the Christmas break to find rosters changed in Skyward without advance notice, leaving teachers and parents confused when students were no longer listed in expected classes. Staff acknowledged the issue and said changes to Skyward may propagate quickly to teacher rosters when an update is made.
District staff said many test results are available to teachers once scoring is complete and offered to provide targeted training to any teachers who lack access to results. Staff proposed compiling a visual calendar of all district and state testing and bringing it to the board to identify what falls within the district's influence and what is mandated externally.
The board asked staff to prepare that testing calendar and return it for discussion; no policy changes or votes were taken during the informal meeting.
