Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday sent a letter to Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key directing the agency to withdraw from using the state's current student-testing program.
The letter requests the Department of Education discontinue its contract with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, and for the State Board of Education "to select a new assessment provider."
Hutchinson cites Arkansas' memorandum of understanding that says if "the governor or chief state school officer is replaced in a Consortium state, the successor in that office shall affirm in writing" continued participation within five months of taking office.
Hutchinson writes that neither he nor Key have reaffirmed the state's continued participation in using the PARCC assessment.
"On the contrary, I have publicly expressed my support for withdrawing from PARCC," Hutchinson wrote.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported that the state's student-testing program was in limbo after the Education Board voted June 11 to continue using PARCC assessments, instead of approving Hutchinson's recommendation to with to using ACT tests.
The deadline to sign the contract for PARCC tests to be given next school year is July 1.
See Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.
