The State Board of Education went on the record against new PARCC standardized tests last year, so it’s hardly a surprise that a majority of its members remain opposed to the tests in 2015. But the board went beyond expressing opposition Thursday and acted as if it had authority that it doesn’t actually possess.
In a 4-3 vote, the board agreed to allow school districts to seek waivers from the first part of the PARCC tests, scheduled for March. The trouble is, the board doesn’t have that kind of power — or if it does, it’s been a well-kept secret.
That’s why school districts such as Douglas County that are critics of PARCC sought legislative support last year for waivers rather than a vote by the state board. And the assistant attorney general at Thursday’s meeting counseled against the board’s measure as well.
The vote was irresponsible, and stokes expectations that can only be realized through legislation.
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