A federal waiver means Oklahoma students won’t be double tested on math this year.
The U.S. Department of Education approved the state’s request to waive grade-level assessments for students who take end-of-instruction tests in algebra I, algebra II or geometry.
"We're very happy that this has happened, because we think, you know, we're going in the right direction now," said Oklahoma Education Association President Linda Hampton. "We at the Oklahoma Education Association certainly aren't opposed to testing. I mean, teachers probably invented tests.
"But tests should be used to improve instruction and improve learning. They should not be used to label or punish or overburden our students."
The waiver is for the 2014–2015 school year. It doesn’t automatically renew, so state officials must apply each year.
