COLUMBUS — Ohio students would have extra time to take state-mandated tests interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic under an emergency measure passed unanimously by the Ohio House.
The measure also gives juniors and seniors the ability to substitute final course grades for results from end-of-course tests taken this school year for graduation purposes.
The GOP-controlled Senate approved some final changes to the bill before sending it back to the House where it passed Wednesday in a rare 92-to-0 vote days before the testing windows begin.
“We always want to talk about accountability for these students, but we should be talking about compassion and understanding. These young people have the most at stake because it is their futures that will be affected, not ours,” said Sen. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo), who supported the measure in the Senate.
The bill also extends the ability of school principals to determine whether a student is on track to graduate and exempts schools from administering the American History end-of-course exam.
The revised version of the bill includes the emergency clause, which ensures the measure takes effect this school year.