The panel will hold six outreach meetings across the state this month to discuss tentative recommendations with the public.
Panel members want to take away the tests they feel aren't helping students - such as Criterion Referenced Tests (CRTs), which most students take each year, the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT) and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills - and replace them with tests designed to give teachers and students more immediate feedback they can use in the classroom. Now, teachers and students don't see CRT results until the school year is over.
The changes, however, also would mean more time spent testing for students.
The panel expects to make its final recommendations to the governor by the end of September so he can consider including them in his budget recommendations to lawmakers.
To see a full list of the tentative recommendations visit: www.schools.utah.gov/ADMIN/Blue-Ribbon-Panel-Tentative-Recommendations-for-Discussion-07-08.pdf.
You can have your say
The outreach meetings will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the following dates in the following locations:
* Aug. 7: Granite School District Office, 2500 South State St., Salt Lake City, board room auditorium.
* Aug. 13: Provo City School District Office, 280 W. 940 North, Provo, professional development center.
* Aug. 14: Jordan High School, 95 East Beetdigger Boulevard (9880 South), Sandy, Tech Atrium.
* Aug. 18 Weber County School District Office, 5320 Adams Avenue Parkway, Ogden.
* Aug. 19: Carbon School District Office, 251 W. 400 North, Price.
* Aug. 21: Iron County School District Office, 2077 West Royal Hunte Drive, Cedar City.
