As educators, we know the State’s flawed and unfair testing system is failing our students. We know we need to correct the tests, in particular, the grades 3-8 ELA and math state assessments. Until that happens, this page provides some basic facts you need to know.
The state’s accountability system has changed to comply with the requirements of The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA continued the 95 percent participation requirement but placed responsibility for how to address it in the hands of the states. New York State’s new accountability system was approved in January 2018 for implementation in the 2018-19 school year. The state regulations that govern how the new system is implemented have been adopted as emergency regulations but not as a permanent rule as of the release of this document.
Advice for Local Leaders
We recognize that many members have strong feelings about this issue. As an organization, NYSUT has been clear that students should not be subjected to over-testing or burdened with field tests. NYSUT is on record as supporting districts that choose to opt-out of field tests. Additional action is recommended at the local level:
NYSUT encourages members to exercise their rights as citizens and professionals to speak their mind about high-stakes tests in general and to consider refusing the tests for their own children. NYSUT will defend teachers against disciplinary action if a district pursues 3020-a/b charges.
Districts with persistent high opt-out rates will be required to develop improvement plans. Encourage the district to work with stakeholders to develop appropriate policies for students who choose to opt-out. Students should not be subject to punitive, harmful “sit and stare” policies.
Ensure that there are processes in place to track students who take part of an assessment and then choose to opt-out. These students are still counted as tested. This data may be grounds for a teacher to appeal a growth score or SLO after the moratorium is lifted.
Teachers want to teach, not force their students to take absurd and unfair tests. We hear from teachers all over the state about how ridiculous these tests are. We want to hear your story.
As educators, we know the State’s flawed and unfair testing system is failing our students. We know we need to correct the tests, in particular, the grades 3-8 ELA and math state assessments. Until that happens, this page provides some basic facts you need to know.
The state’s accountability system has changed to comply with the requirements of Federal The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA continued the 95 percent participation requirement but placed responsibility for how to address it in the hands of the states. New York State’s new accountability system was approved in January 2018 for implementation in the 2018-19 school year. The state regulations that govern how the new system is implemented have been adopted as emergency regulations but not as a permanent rule as of the release of this document.
Advice for Local Leaders
We recognize that many members have strong feelings about this issue. As an organization, NYSUT has been clear that students should not be subjected to over-testing or burdened with field tests. NYSUT is on record as supporting districts that choose to opt-out of field tests. Additional action is recommended at the local level:
NYSUT encourages members to exercise their rights as citizens and professionals to speak their mind about high-stakes tests in general and to consider refusing the tests for their own children. NYSUT will defend teachers against disciplinary action if a district pursues 3020-a/b charges.
Districts with persistent high opt-out rates will be required to develop improvement plans. Encourage the district to work with stakeholders to develop appropriate policies for students who choose to opt-out. Students should not be subject to punitive, harmful “sit and stare” policies.
Ensure that there are processes in place to track students who take part of an assessment and then choose to opt-out. These students are still counted as tested. This data may be grounds for a teacher to appeal a growth score or SLO after the moratorium is lifted.
Tell Your Testing Story
We hear from parents all over the state about their children's agonizing and absurd experiences with the state tests. We want to hear and share yours so this never happens again.
