In a few months our students in grades 3-5 will be taking the New York State Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. We have been informed that the tests this year will be more difficult than those administered in the past and that fewer students will reach the proficiency level .
The exams will be given over a two week period in April with the students taking four exams in three days in both subject areas. The tests will take at a minimum 50 minutes each day with some being 70 minutes. Along with the time spent in class on the tests or teachers will be for a minimum of two days to score the exams. I am concerned about the time spent on the exams along with the pressure placed on the teachers and the students during the exams.
Over the past year educators have started to take a stand against the high stakes exams and the effect they have on children and teachers. Carol Burris a principal in New York State has been one of the vocal leaders on this subject and an advocate for looking at better ways to evaluate principals , teachers and students than these assessments. I have included a couple of links on the topic of testing and some of the leaders in education who are voicing concerns on the direction we are heading in.
Dave, thank you for voicing your concern about these tests. As the mother of an intelligent daughter, I can attest to the unnecessary stress they put on our children. Last year, in the week leading up to the tests and during the tests, she couldn't eat or sleep and was constantly nauseous! I would love our lawmakers to tell me how those conditions give them accurate knowledge about her, her teacher and Hamagrael!
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