State school board votes to cancel tests amid coronavirus closure

As schools across North Carolina begin their second week of closure due to the coronavirusoutbreak, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to request a federal waiver for required testing and accountability measures for the current school year.

Posted 1:50 p.m. Mar 23, 2020 — Updated 6:04 p.m. Mar 23, 2020

Laura Leslie

, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

RALEIGH, N.C. — As schools across North Carolina begin their second week of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, the State Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to request a federal waiver for required testing and accountability measures for the current school year.

During a Monday morning teleconference, Tammy Howard, director of accountability for the state Department of Public Instruction, explained that the U.S. Department of Education notified all states on Friday that they could apply for the waiver.

Board member J.B. Buxton, chairman of the Student Learning and Achievement Committee, said he has had discussions with state lawmakers about the need for a similar waiver for state testing and accountability requirements. Buxton said DPI staff are working on a list of what they'll need legislators to approve.

In opening remarks, board Chairman Eric Davis said districts have quickly ramped up meal delivery for students who depend on schools for food. About 1.6 million meals have been delivered in the past week, Davis said, and the statewide capacity is now about 571,000 meals per day.

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Davis said schools and districts statewide are working quickly to create remote coursework and online resources for social engagement for students. He said teachers are staying connected with students by phone, video chat and messaging.

He also said DPI is working to make sure school personnel can continue to work and be paid throughout the outbreak.

Hours after the Board of Education meeting, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered that all schools statewide remain closed through at least May 15.

"I'm not ready to give up on this year of school," Cooper said.

The North Carolina Association of Educators praised the move as necessary for the health and safety of both students and school staff.

"We ask the State Board of Education and the Department of Public instruction to further clarify their protocols for educational professionals around employee pay and worksite safety and call on them to provide the appropriate precautions, protections, resources and tools that educators need to do their jobs during these incredibly difficult times," the NCAE said in a statement.

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