U.S. Department of Education Will Process Statewide Waiver Requests for Standardized Tests, Montana Submits Request 

March 20, 2020

HELENA— U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that the U.S. Department of Education will process statewide waiver requests for standardized tests. Superintendent Arntzen submitted an assessment waiver request to the Montana Board of Public Education and the U.S. Department of Education earlier this week.

“I want to thank Secretary DeVos for her commitment to student safety and local control under these unprecedented times for Montana schools,” Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said Friday. “Local school leaders need maximum flexibility as they continue serving their students, teachers, and communities. Removing these federally mandated tests is one way that we can help our teachers, school leaders, and most importantly our families and students.” 

The Office of Public Instruction held a conference call today with district and county superintendents, Montana education associations, and state and federal partners to discuss local, state, and federal responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. The OPI has worked non-stop to provide local school leaders maximum flexibility,

Superintendent Arntzen will continue requesting waivers and extensions from the Governor’s office and federal government as needs arise. The OPI is also in communication with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (Montana University System) to ensure that high school students who want to take the ACT are afforded the opportunity.

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CONTACT:   Dylan Klapmeier

                       Director of Communications, Montana Office of Public Instruction

                       dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov

                       406-444-3559