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State Superintendent Richard Woods has decided to suspend all required student testing and teacher evaluations in Georgia.

He made the announcement on Monday, March 16, after noting that many public schools are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The halt in state assessments includes the Georgia Milestones’ end of grade and end of course tests, Georgia Alternate Assessment and all other required testing. 

Teacher and leader evaluation requirements and reporting will be suspended, as well as state-level attendance-related consequences such as the College and Career Ready Performance Index, School Climate Star Rating and make-up days.

In Monday’s statement from the Georgia Department of Education, Woods said the state’s schools need to place their attention on the safety of students and staff.

“The focus should be first and foremost on health and safety, then on flexible and creative ways to keep learning and growing,” Woods stated. “It’s common sense: testing and accountability requirements should not place an additional burden on students, parents, and educators during this time, and they will not in Georgia.”