Perhaps in response to push back from state-wide professional associations (see my recent post here), Commissioner Chester’s April 12 memo (District Determined Measures 4.12.13-2) drastically reduces the state’s DDM expectations of districts, at least for the school year 2013-14.

Here are the two major changes outlined in the Commissioner’s memo:

First, districts must pilot a minimum of five district-determined measures in 2013-14. See the Commissioner’s memo for the grade levels and content areas in which these pilots must be administered. This represents a major reduction, as the state originally expected districts to pilot pre- and post-tests in all subjects and grade levels, requiring as many as 150 new assessments.

Second, plans describing a district’s full implementation of DDMs are not due until February of 2014.