While new guidelines from state officials appear to relieve some of the pitfalls associated with TNReady testing, suburban education leaders are concerned about the details.

Gov. Bill Lee and state Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn have repeatedly touted no negative consequences based on test results this year. And, on Friday, state lawmakers ended a special session focused on education reinforcing that position.

However, the issue of attendance in a time of virtual learning leads to questions. Suburban educators worry that families who have chosen to keep their students away from school because of the pandemic, could jeopardize their respective districts meeting the minimum 80% of students taking the test.

Governor, ed chief want to remove consequences from 2021 test scores

“Their words are hollow, because of this accountability measure, this attendance measure,” Germantown Superintendent Jason Manuel said. 

“My position and the position of the (Lakeland) school board is that (students) shouldn’t be taking tests at all,” Ted Horrell, superintendent of the Lakeland School System, said noting they passed a resolution regarding the matter earlier this year.

There are no negative consequences if 80% of the students take the test. However, there is currently no testing option for virtual students. And if the particular district doesn’t have 80% of students taking the test, it could be classified as failing, according to Manuel .

Schwinn could grant a waiver to districts, under a bill  that was part of the special legislative session focused on education. However, it is unclear what measures determine if districts qualify.

State Rep. Mark White, a Republican from East Memphis and chair of the education committee, said the 80% requirement is meant to help the state have a “good cross-section” of students and understand any learning loss related to the pandemic.

He said if districts try to reach 80% and have an honest reason they cannot meet it, the commissioner may then provide waivers.

Manuel noted Lee closed schools in the spring “for student safety.” During the summer, school systems were asked to submit their back-to-school plans with hybrid, virtual and in-person components to the state for approval by Schwinn. When the governor and Schwinn advocated for in-person learning for elementary students, local suburban districts followed.

“It has probably been – for our educators, for our staff – one of the most difficult periods of time in their careers,” Manuel said as the district takes many measures to keep students safe. “All so that we could provide the best education for our students.”

Germantown school leaders identify legislative wishes

Given the options, more than 20% of Germantown families chose fully virtual.

“We think we are following the commissioner’s plan, the governor’s intent, the Tennessee Department of Education’s intent,” he said. “And now we get ready for testing and we get ready for accountability. They are not going to provide a virtual or take home option of this test. Families who have made this choice over safety do not have an option to take the test. The only option is to come into school and physically take this test.”

Manuel said it is “a double standard” as districts like Germantown followed state guidance all year. 

Additionally, Tennessee changed the contract with the test vendor, and the state now owns it. Manuel said Tennessee could provide a written option for students, but state leaders worry about accountability since there is no way to make sure students are taking the test without help.

Schwinn has said the test is needed to see how students are progressing.

“If the purpose of the test is only for benchmarking, if it’s only for a data point to see where we need to provide supports for our students, then we shouldn’t be as concerned about test security,” Manuel said, noting other assessments would show that. “I don’t understand the concern around not providing a virtual option … I shouldn’t ask (students) to come in – to go against what they believe – for a test that doesn’t count for anything other than a data point.”

Manuel notes Germantown – usually a high-achieving district – could be considered a priority district, a failing district, if not enough students take the test.

“For following their rules, for providing families an option, we are going to be punished.”

Opinion: Separate school systems allow choice in pandemic

Manuel said this is the first time in the pandemic there is no control for districts. The decision is in the hands of the state and frustrating for district leaders.

“Instead, it’s this or that,” he said. “You have to come in in-person or else Germantown is a failing district.”

The bill states districts will receive a letter grade if less than 80% of students take the test. Manuel and other superintendents worry about more oversight from the state as a result of an unprecedented pandemic.

Millington Superintendent Bo Griffin said about 38% of that district’s students chose the all-virtual route, and he is anxious to know waiver requirements. He believes, however, he can reach 80% of testing if a waiver is not available.

“Our community has really supported us,” he said. “We will have to do makeup exams, but I do feel very confident we can get (to 80%).”

About one-third of Collierville’s students chose learning virtually, and Superintendent Gary Lilly is also curious about waiver requirements.

“There is a lot of uncertainty in what it would mean for us, but I am definitely concerned in the participation part,” Lilly said. “I wish I knew more of what makes districts eligible for the commissioner’s waiver.”

If Collierville is unable to obtain a waiver, it could send kids who normally attend in-person to remote learning for a day, then ask virtual students to come in for the test. 

“We will do everything we can to set things up where it is as safe,” Lilly said if they must ask virtual students to take the test.

However, there is the uncertainty if students will come in for a test if the parents made the decision to keep their kids home this semester.

“I just wish there was a remote option. Then I wouldn’t have as serious of concerns,” Lilly said. 

For Lakeland School Systems, only 16% of students are virtual. Horrell, the district’s superintendent since the municipal systems split from Shelby County Schools, is optimistic they will reach 80% of students to take the test. But this year, he has an issue with testing.

He said due to so many external factors it is hard to get a true measure. Lakeland would have to spread the test over multiple days to make sure there are not too many students per teacher during the tests.

He also believes districts in this area should not be penalized for trying to keep students safe.

Efforts to reach Arlington and Bartlett superintendents were unsuccessful.