High Stakes Testing Irony

The winds of change are blowing in Albany! Our new Education Commissioner Elia and an educational task force that held meetings around the state obtained  feedback from the intelligent educators and parents who took the time participate. We have seen some quick and encouraging changes to 3-8 testing!

In recent weeks, I have learned via social media and through conversations with some adults that MANY ARE STILL MISINFORMED and have not taken the time to learn about the changes to NYS 3-8 testing. Please allow me to share some ACCURATE INFORMATION:

• The term "HIGH STAKES TESTING" no longer exists in grades 3-8! The tests are no longer tied to teacher evaluations. The tests were NEVER "HIGH STAKES" for students. 
• Teachers are requested to be at the table in the review of test questions.
• There are no longer time limits attached to the tests. Students may continue to work as long as they wish to complete the exams. This move was to alleviate the stress of the clock. (And yes, I have had several hard working, intelligent students work until time was called, some not finishing, over the years.)
• The number of questions and reading passages has been reduced.

Finally, common sense has prevailed and the NYS assessments have returned to their original intention, a snapshot that helps educators to reflect on our practices, to improve teaching and learning and to focus on specific needs for individual students. As one of the educators who pours over the data for/with my team, we had cause to celebrate where we are meeting many standards in our instruction and looked more critically at those standards where we needed to improve. We collaborated as a professional learning community and created some team-wide strategies to improve those standards. We also were able to hone in on some specific needs of students on the individual level. Yes, we use DATA to inform instruction in our building, the purpose of ALL ASSESSMENTS.

The IRONY in the term "HIGH STAKES TESTING" is that it DOES still exist at the HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. High School teachers are still evaluated (50%) on the success of their students on the standardized REGENTS EXAMS. No one cries foul or attempts to opt students out. My son will take the first administration of the Common Core Algebra II/Trig Regents this June, just as he has taken the first ever administration of CC Geometry last year, Algebra the year before.  Even he realized the benefits of taking his middle school NYS tests and how they prepared him for tackling the REAL high stakes exams, the REGENTS, as he articulately voiced to me 2 years ago.

Is there still a fuss over 42 multiple choice questions, 7 short answers and 1 essay (ELA 8) OVER 3 DAYS??? If there is, I feel sorry for those students heading to high school. They are in for a rude awakening as they face the challenge of 3 hour Common Core Regents Exams.

A big shout out to the parents in my own district who participated in a parent information night recently on NYS testing. I applaud those who make INFORMED decisions about their children's education.
It is my hope that common sense will prevail and more students will participate in the testing this year, rather than being caught in the middle of a political battle among the adults in this state. Thank you to all of those parents who have supported our work as educators, allowing their students to take the tests. You have contributed to important changes in our teaching, becoming our partners in giving your students the best education to prepare them for high school and beyond! Our students deserve it!