Colorado education committee approves test bills

The Colorado Senate’s Education Committee has approved a proposal to reduce testing, allow district to devise their own assessments and offer flexibility on using scores to grade teachers.

The 8-1 vote on that bill and a 9-0 vote for a proposal to reduce social studies testing were stronger endorsements than for a third proposal the committee approved Thursday. That third proposal, a Republican call for a retreat from the Common Core educational standards, passed 5-4.

Both the Senate and the House are considering various school-reform bills amid concern tests are taking away too much teaching time. The education committee heard such concerns during its hearing Thursday, but was also cautioned not to back off so much that changes weaken efforts to track the progress of students, teachers, schools and districts.