HI HCR55

Urges the Board of Education and Department of Education to reduce standardized testing in Hawaii's public school system and replace it with authentic assessments that promote critical thinking and project-based learning.

Notes that Hawaii Department of Education has approximately $60,000,000 in active contracts with third-party entities for standardized testing and test-based curricula.

Cites a 2016 Ward Research survey of Hawaii principals finding 85% agreed instructional time on standardized testing should be reduced and 84% felt the Department should reconsider the Smarter Balanced Assessment.

References a survey of Hawaii teachers showing 91% felt the state should consider changes to its current testing program and Hawaii's Blueprint for Public Education's call to reconsider membership in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.

Requests the Department of Education submit a report to the Legislature on its efforts to reduce standardized testing no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2022.