Common Core! STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As students begin the first of three days of state standardized tests in English and language arts Tuesday, state Legislators are poised in Albany to give anxious kids -- and parents -- a big break on the high-stake exams. Although its been somewhat overshadowed by the issues of full-day pre-k and charter schools, as part of the state budget agreement Legislators are expected to pass sweeping changes linked to delaying the implementation of the new Common Core curriculum standards for at least two years. Under the new changes: Standardized tests in reading and math may no longer be used as the primary criteria for student promotion and placement in grades three through eight. This applies to the 2014 tests to be administered this month. Test scores may no longer be recorded on a students permanent record. Students with disabilities must be assessed or tested based upon their cognitive ability, not according to numerical age or grade level. English Language Learners, for whom English is not their prime language, must be given an alternate test or form of assessment other than the regular state English Language Assessment test. The legislative changes would also establish a chief privacy officer to ensure students personal identifable data is kept private, and not circulated to education and test- development vendors and corporations. School districts around the state must also provide support and community outreach to parents for the Common Core, and enhance training and professional development for teachers and principals around the Common Core. State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) called the changes a big victory for kids and parents. Senate and Assembly leaders began hammering out the changes last week in meetings with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Were talking about doing something so that the testing that takes place in April will be less dramatic, less traumatic, to the students, said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). The Advance reported Monday that in the days just before and during the tests students have reported symptoms of anxiety and stress -- ranging from having trouble sleeping to headaches and an upset stomach -- that taken together have been labeled Common Core Syndrome. Legislators have been bombarded with complaints from parents around the state about the tests and the Common Core standards. Last year, reading and math test scores plunged throughout the state the first time students took the exams under the new standards. Less than 30 percent of Staten Island students made the grade. Thank you to our Legislators. You heard us and you responded, said Michael Reilly, an Eltingville parent and member of the District 31 Community Education Council, who has lobbied in Albany for the changes. Its not perfect, but it goes a long way toward easing this high-stakes test anxiety among parents and students. Now kids can take these tests this month without this hanging over their heads, he said. City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina has said she will be looking at the promotional policy in the schools, with an eye toward developing a process that looks at a students classroom performance and academic progress throughout the year, along with their test scores and other factors.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 00:18:55 +0000
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