1-26-10 | Bill seeks fewer, better tests for students| Salt Lake Tribune

Utah schoolchildren could encounter fewer standardized tests and, according to one senator, get more meaningful results from those they take if a bill that advanced Tuesday passes.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, proposes dropping required Utah Performance Assessment System for Students [U-PASS] tests in grades 3, 5 and 8, and allowing online exams in other grades.

"We've heard time and again," Stephenson said, "that we may be testing our students too much on standardized tests."

The bill's online-testing provision allows school districts to use an exam that asks students successively tougher questions when they answer correctly and easier questions when they are wrong. That, Stephenson said, allows for a truer assessment of skills.

The Senate unanimously advanced the bill Tuesday for a final reading.