Putnam Schools Want State Testing Dismissed

Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said he wants this year’s state standardized testing to be exempt.

King said teachers and students already face enough challenges from COVID. Preparing for state testing should not be one of them.

“Right now, our focus is teaching students at grade level, grade level standards, grade level academics,” King said. “Engage with students while we have them in front of us. Let us do the best we can. We are not going to worry about state testing regardless of what the state does.”

King said the school system will still participate in the testings if the state does not excuse this year. Cumberland County also asked the state to not penalize schools for going without testing.

“I believe that the state has to make some decisions on,” King said. “It is something our teachers, our students. There is enough pressure right now on teacher learning under this environment that we are under. They do not need the added pressures.”