States Push for Testing Choice: What Parents Need to Know About New ESSA Flexibility

Last updated: March 14, 2026

If you’ve watched your child struggle with a single standardized test and felt it didn’t capture their true abilities, you’re not alone. Many parents have sensed that one test can’t measure everything a student knows. Now, several states are taking that intuition seriously—and the federal government is listening.

TL;DR

Three states—Idaho, Alabama, and Indiana—are requesting federal flexibility to change how students are tested under ESSA.
Idaho wants high schoolers to choose from a menu of assessments including the SAT, ACT, and career readiness tests.
Alabama proposes having all students take both the ACT and ACT WorkKeys to measure college and career readiness.
Indiana wants to redirect school improvement funds directly to students rather than to failing schools.
The Department of Education says it will consider waivers that improve academic achievement while maintaining transparency.

States Request New Testing Options Under ESSA

Idaho has asked the U.S. Department of Education for permission to let high schoolers choose their assessment from a menu of state-approved tests—including the SAT, ACT, ACT WorkKeys, and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Currently, all students take the same test, which state officials say provides limited information about student growth.

“Because the high school exam is offered just once, it can’t be used to provide a meaningful picture of student growth,” said Idaho Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. “A student can flunk the test and still graduate on time, so there’s little motivation for students to try their best.”

Several states want to let students choose how they're tested—SAT, ACT, or career assessments instead of just one test. Here's what this means for families. Tweet Now Follow Learning Success

Why Multiple Assessments Matter

The proposed menu approach reflects something researchers have long understood: different students demonstrate their knowledge in different ways. A student who struggles with timed, high-stakes testing may thrive when showing what they know through career-readiness assessments or college entrance exams.

Alabama is pursuing a similar path, proposing that all students take both the ACT (measuring college readiness) and ACT WorkKeys (measuring career readiness). “We want to make certain we’re doing what’s right for the boys and girls of Alabama, to make certain that there are options there that get them ready for life after K-12,” said Alabama State Schools Chief Eric Mackey.

Author Quote "

Quote: Because the high school exam is offered just once, it can’t be used to provide a meaningful picture of student growth. A student can flunk the test and still graduate on time, so there’s little motivation for students to try their best.Attribution: Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Not applicable - No significant bias identified. The article presents both perspectives on state flexibility fairly, noting potential concerns from Democrats about accountability while also presenting the Trump administration's case for returning education to states.

What This Means for Families

For parents, these changes could mean more opportunities for students to show their strengths rather than being defined by a single test outcome. Indiana is also seeking flexibility to redirect school improvement funds directly to students—allowing the state to send money to charter schools or neighboring districts willing to serve students from struggling schools.

“This shift empowers more creative and student-centered solutions in the environment that best meets each student’s needs,” Indiana wrote in its waiver request. The approach reflects a growing recognition that one-size-fits-all accountability systems don’t serve every child equally.

Key Takeaways:

Testing Flexibility: Idaho, Alabama, and Indiana are seeking federal flexibility to offer students more assessment choices beyond a single standardized test.

Parent Empowerment: The changes could give families more voice in how students demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Accountability Focus: The Department says flexibility must improve academic outcomes, not obscure school performance.

Looking Ahead

The Department of Education has signaled openness to these requests while maintaining core accountability requirements. Assistant Secretary Kirsten Baesler emphasized that waivers “have to improve academic achievement” and that the goal is not to let states “hide schools that aren’t performing.”

For parents, the message is clear: the system is beginning to recognize what you’ve known all along—your child is more than a single test score. As these waiver requests move forward, staying informed about your state’s options will help you advocate for the assessment approach that works best for your child.

Author Quote "

Quote: We want to make certain we’re doing what’s right for the boys and girls of Alabama, to make certain that there are options there that get them ready for life after K-12.Attribution: Eric Mackey, Alabama State Schools Chief

Your child’s potential isn’t captured by a single test score.Brains change rapidly when given the right opportunities, and assessment should measure growth, not固化 fixed limitations. The movement toward testing flexibility reflects what parent advocates have long believed: different students demonstrate their knowledge in different ways. If you’re ready to stop letting a test define what your child can achieve, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan—and you keep that plan even if you decide it’s not the right fit.