Board Approves Standardized Tests Waivers for Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho State Board of Education has once again freed ninth graders from undergoing the newest standardized tests used to measure English language arts and math proficiency.

The board unanimously approved a one-year waiver on Wednesday, meaning this is the second year that ninth-graders in Idaho's public schools will not be required to take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium examination. The board also waived this year's sophomores from passing the new tests as a requirement for graduation.

The new tests are aligned with new teaching standards — known as the Idaho Common Core — that state lawmakers adopted in 2011. Idaho school districts have been teaching the new standards since 2013. Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra, who submitted the request, says she supports minimum federal testing for students.