Teachers, parents say changes to standardized test so far won't deter the boycott movement
The state’s education commissioner said parents who are thinking of opting their children out of standardized tests again this school year should stick with the exams because they will be different than last year’s tests. But, the state’s teacher’s union and a parents group says the changes don’t go far enough.
Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia is hoping to contain a movement that led 20 percent of students to boycott the third-eighth grade standardized tests last spring.
The commissioner, who began her job in July after the April tests were administered, said they will be different in the spring of 2016.
Elia said teachers will have more input to review the test items and how they match up with the new Common Core standards. And, Elia said due to complaints she’s heard from teachers, students and parents across the state, there will be other changes as well -- including shorter tests.
“So, we’re shortening the tests at every grade level,” said Elia, mentioning a new policy that she previously announced.
She said children who don’t finish the tests in the allotted time might be allowed a few more minutes.
“Are we really measuring whether or not they have comprehension or whether they can read quickly?” Elia asked.
The New York State Education Department is ditching the current testing company Pearson in favor of a company, Questar, that allows teachers to have more say in the tests. But, the new company will not be in charge of the exams until the spring of 2017. A modified version of the controversial Pearson tests will be administered to students. While the commissioner is not telling parents what to do, she said she hopes the effort by education officials to make the changes will influence their actions.
“Parents should consider that if they make a decision,” Elia said. “We hope that will influence them and that the teacher involvement, particularly, will be positive.”
Elia also recommends delaying the effects of the tests on students’ permanent records for six more months through the 2018-19 school year. She said she thinks Teachers, parents say changes to standardized test so far won't deter the boycott movement | WRVO Public Media:
