Standardized Tests in Maryland Scaled Back, Moved to Fall

Standardized tests for students in Maryland have been scaled back and pushed until this fall.

The Washington Post reports that the tests had been planned for this spring.

Stream NBC4 newscasts for free right here, right now.

The decision to push them back was made Thursday as part of changes adopted by the Maryland Board of Education. The move also followed a decision by federal officials not to waive federal testing requirements.

Time for math tests will be shortened to 80 minutes from roughly 160 minutes. English exams will be 140 minutes. They were about 280 minutes.

We have the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily.

Students will be given a kind of abbreviated version of the state’s standardized tests. They are called MCAPs, for Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program.

State Superintendent Karen B. Salmon said education officials will be able to assess how students have been doing on required standards.