Governor Josh Shapiro announced on April 18th plans to move all standardized testing to online forms. The administration believes this shift, along with updates to question formats, will reduce test times and student stress by "adopting question types that match how students learn”, according to a press release from the administration.

By making the switch to online testing, the press release also says results will come in quicker— allowing counselors and guidance to use the results as they prepare students for the next year. Right now, scores often arrive in the summer after such details are already finalized.

A final benefit the release lists is that teachers will also have more time to educate rather than administer tests.

Shapiro and Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin say the switch to online will be full implemented by the 2026 school year. Updates to question formats will follow shortly after.

Currently, 32% of Pennsylvania schools administer online assessments. The Shapiro administration says this will save schools $6.5 million annually and save 85,788,522 printed pages each year.

The administration’s goal is to reduce reliance on standardized testing. The release explains a full separation from assessment is not possible due to federal law, explained below;

"While states are given some flexibility to create or adapt assessments suited to their needs, under the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act, states must administer statewide assessments. All 50 states have an assessment program used to satisfy federal testing requirements, and in Pennsylvania’s case, eliminating standardized testing entirely would put the Commonwealth at risk of losing $600 million in federal funding for our schools."

For access to the full press release and more details, click here.