PERRYSBURG – The school district will serve as a pilot location this spring for new online testing models
being rolled out by the state next year.
The board heard a presentation Tuesday detailing the testing changes and how Perrysburg will administer
the exams.
Being a pilot school not only helps staff to troubleshoot a schedule of how the tests will be given, but
allows teachers and students to familiarize themselves with the questions, which are much different than
previous state exams, said Kadee Anstadt, executive director of teacher and learning.
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Career (PARCC) and Next Generation Assessments,
paired with a group of end-of-course exams, are intended to more rigorously measure whether students are
truly prepared for college courses, Anstadt explained.
"Almost everything is new in Ohio," she said of the testing shift. "This is quite an
undertaking."
The tests will be given under a new structure that splits them into shorter, more frequent sessions
during the spring. Also, more students will be tested, making it important to ensure the district’s
networks can handle so much simultaneous traffic.
Students will take the tests beginning in March, with the new exams taking effect next school year.
The board had a separate discussion following the first reading of a new policy that would allow students
to apply for a physical-education exemption if they’ve participated in two full seasons of athletics,
cheerleading or marching band.
Board members were supportive of the change, which would not exempt students for participation in club
sports such as dance team or lacrosse. Students would still need the same amount of credits for
graduation, as anyone exempted from the requirement would need an additional ¬? credit to replace what
they opted not to take.
Board member Cal Smith emphasized the district would not remove physical-education classes, but give
families more options for their children to complete the requirement.
Before the end of the meeting, board member Sue Larimer said she received several comments from community
members who are unhappy with a school policy that requires a doctor’s visit before a student’s
medication can be administered at school, even for over-the-counter substances like cough drops.
After the meeting, Superintendent Tom Hosler said the board’s policy committee will review the matter in
a few weeks, with possible adjustments to the practice.