The decision to either keep or end unnecessary state testing is anticipated to be much talked about during the 2019 legislative session.
Representative Tom Miles has filed various bills that would end excessive testing in the state and is hosting a public hearing at the Capitol on Monday, January 21st, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. Miles said the hearing is open to students, teachers, and families who will be able to share their stories and give testimonies on the issue of mandated state testing and its effect on Mississippi’s education system.
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“We want to hear from them firsthand,” said Miles. “We’ve got numerous emails, letters, and phone calls over the last two years and I just wanted some of them [legislators] to hear their stories and also we want to show that it can be different. Just because we choose not to do it differently in Mississippi, it can be done.”
Miles added that while the State testing taskforce was created and met several times, he does not believe there was enough input from the public.
“Today is a holiday and all of our teachers and students are out of school, so those that want to come and express their opinions about the impact of state testing and what they would like to see be done about the issue,” Miles said.
The hearing will be held in the Ways and Means Committee Room at the Capitol in room 201-H.
