Red state eliminates standardized tests after changes from the Trump administration’s Education Department

Oklahoma Ends Standardized Testing for Certain Grades

The Oklahoma Department of Education (OSDE) has decided to discontinue statewide standardized testing for various subjects. This shift aims to hand over more control to local school districts. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, standardized tests in mathematics and English for students in grades 3 through 8 will be replaced. Instead of these tests, OSDE will use approved benchmark ratings that are already in place for reporting student performance and growth.

The department believes this change will significantly lessen the testing load on both students and teachers, allowing educators to focus more on actual teaching rather than just test preparation. Notably, the new benchmark approach is still compliant with protections for students with disabilities under both federal and state laws.

Additionally, OSDE has mentioned that it’s considering options to remove standardized tests in science and history for the same grade levels in the future.

Federal Education Department Reforms Under Trump

This announcement signals a broader attempt to reduce the influence of the Federal Department of Education, aligning with President Donald Trump’s vision of returning more educational responsibilities to the states. During a rally earlier this year, Trump called for the complete dismantlement of the federal education department, criticizing it during a campaign filled with accusations against perceived extremism within educational systems.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has stated that this push for local control of education is a nonpartisan issue, emphasizing the need to return federal oversight back to local jurisdictions, which, she notes, are genuinely concerned about the implications of federal involvement.

OSDE framed its decision as a move against what it sees as undue influence from liberal teachers’ unions and the burdens imposed by standardized testing.

Additionally, in a recent survey, approximately 86% of 15,349 parents indicated that they felt standardized tests were unnecessary for evaluating student learning.

Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s Republican superintendent of public leadership, expressed support for the changes, suggesting that they would empower local educators and provide a more effective educational framework. “Teachers and fellow citizens are failing our children,” Walters remarked, underscoring the need for high-quality education free from bureaucratic interference.