Schools must give standardized tests, Biden administration says Some educators in the U.S. are concerned about standardized testing amid the disruption caused by the pandemic. NEW YORK - There is nothing normal about this school year: the temperature checks at the front door, the masks in the classroom, or the remote learning from home. Despite the challenges, there is one tradition the Biden administration wants to keep: standardized testing for students. In a letter to districts nationwide, the U.S. Department of Education says it is important to understand the impact of COVID-19 on students. The department gives states flexibility on how districts do testing but not allowing the outright cancelation of exams.