As students wrapped up their first round of new tests based on Common Core standards, a state advisory panel convened yesterday to study whether Ohio should scale back or even scrap some standardized tests.

The 28-member Senate Advisory Committee on Testing, led by Senate Education Chairwoman Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, was created in response to growing complaints from parents, teachers and administrators about excessive testing.

“Legitimate concerns have been raised both about the current state assessments as well as Ohio’s overall testing policies,” Lehner told the group, which includes teachers, superintendents, education experts and lawmakers.

The committee will first review Ohio’s shift this year to PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career) tests for English/language arts and mathematics, and AIR (American Institute of Research) exams for science and social studies.

(Read more at the Dispatch)