Which statement about ESSA's stance on testing is most accurate?

Which statement about ESSA's stance on testing is most accurate?

• A. ESSA eliminates testing
• B. ESSA increases federal control over testing
• C. ESSA mandates yearly testing for all subjects at the federal level
• D. ESSA retains testing requirements but grants states more flexibility in how they test

Answer: (D)

ESSA keeps standardized testing as a core tool for accountability, but hands more control to states in how testing is designed and used. The law requires annual assessments in reading and math for grades 3–8 and once in high school, ensuring there’s consistent data across states. At the same time, it gives states flexibility to decide which tests beyond those core subjects to administer, how to count test results in accountability systems, and what consequences or interventions follow. So, the overall stance is to retain the testing requirement while expanding state flexibility in implementation, rather than eliminating testing, increasing federal control, or mandating testing for all subjects at the federal level.

ESSA keeps standardized testing as a core tool for accountability, but hands more control to states in how testing is designed and used. The law requires annual assessments in reading and math for grades 3–8 and once in high school, ensuring there’s consistent data across states. At the same time, it gives states flexibility to decide which tests beyond those core subjects to administer, how to count test results in accountability systems, and what consequences or interventions follow. So, the overall stance is to retain the testing requirement while expanding state flexibility in implementation, rather than eliminating testing, increasing federal control, or mandating testing for all subjects at the federal level.