Michael Bennet: “I thank the Presiding Officer. Mr. President, as the father of three girls in Denver Public Schools and as a former…”

“I thank the Presiding Officer. Mr. President, as the father of three girls in Denver Public Schools and as a former school superintendent, I know there is a lot we can do to streamline tests, but the problem is not the Federal requirement. That is not the real problem. The real problem is the way the Federal requirement works with States and the way the State tests have piled up on the Federal requirements. That is why States should establish a cap on the total amount of time spent taking these assessments. This target would be State-determined, subject to discussion among parents, teachers, and policymakers. If the district exceeds the policy cap, it would be required to simply notify parents. This is an essential way to respond to concerns voiced by students, parents, teachers, principals, and communities across the country about overtesting. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate?”