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As Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee urged school districts across the state to close for at least the rest of the month Monday, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn asked the federal government for a waiver to potentially suspend statewide assessments this year.
Schwinn has the authority to request such waivers from the U.S. Department of Education, but also has to ask the Legislature to change state law in order to suspend state testing – that authority lies solely with it.
“Assessment and accountability is a integral part of the Tennessee education system that enables us to learn where students are excelling and how best to meet the needs of all students,” Schwinn said in a letter to legislators Monday. “The Department is actively working with Governor Bill Lee and his team to develop a series of waiver options for immediate consideration by the legislature.”