Schools

Our Kids Are Tested Too Much, Comsewogue School Officials Say

Superintendent and school board urge policymakers and lawmakers to stop relying on what they say is over-use of standardized testing.

The Comsewogue Board of Education on Monday took a stance against what they say is an over-reliance on standardized testing on the part of the New York State Department of Education as school districts across the state adapt to the "Common Core" school curriculum, 

The "Common Core" curriculum, adopted by 42 states so far, is a national standard to align student learning and better prepare them for college and careers.

Urged by Superintedent Joseph Rella, the board unanimously adopted a resolution they hope will get the attention of state education officials.

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Rella, the cut scores – which are used to determine how many students pass and fail the tests – are unfair and are largely arbitrary, which produce mostly meaningless results.

"The state decided that the passing rate was too high so they simply changed the score you needed to pass," he said at Monday's school board meeting. "The only thing that’s changed is the rules of the state. It’s wrong and it’s disruptive. ... The purpose of school is not to test kids from the moment they walk in."

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rella also said the process of testing is costly, which is always a concern given the state's tax levy cap, unfunded mandates and other financial constraints.

"[School testing] is an industry, it’s a big business," he said. "We have to pay for the exams, for the grading, for everything. We can’t opt out."

The school board's resolution reads, in part,

"It is time for policymakers to recalibrate the number, duration and appropriate use of standardized tests so that we can refocus our efforts on student learning ... We call upon the Commissioner of Education, the NYS Board of Regents and other policymakers to reduce the use of and over-reliance on standardized testing. ... We call upon the U.S. Congress and the Administration to reduce federal testing mandates and support the role of and focus on multiple measures of student learning and school quality in accountability systems."

School board vice president Lance Brown said the heavy standardized testing is hurting children's self esteem. "When they get these grades that are in their minds poor, their confidence is shot," he said.

He said the testing has "a ripple effect" that affects not only the student but also eventually affects the school district's bottom line.

"It’s getting worse and worse every year," Brown said. "It encompasses so much of our children’s education per year. It’s epidemic in terms of how it is affecting our kids and how we operate as a school district now."

School board member Alexandra Gordon said she has met with local legislators about the issue, but said that she has not made any progress.

"All the time that they’re spending on [testing] is time they’re not getting what they need," she said. "These standardized tests are holding them back."

Beth Ziff-Dimino, president of the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association, praised the school board for adopting the resolution and said she hopes enough school boards will adopt similar ones that state officials will listen.

"Truth be told, [the state] will not listen to us as educators," she said. "We’re not on the boards. We used to be part of making the tests. We don’t make the tests. We don’t approve any of the material on the tests. The only way they will stop torturing our children is if parents stand up and demand that that happen."

On Facebook, a handful of "opt out" groups have formed, like this one here, in which parents share information, resources, and anecdotes regarding the idea that their children can refuse to participate in the testing. But according to this article published by the New York State Association of School Attorneys, New York State education law does not allow for opting out of the tests except in certain special education circumstances.

In response to a request for comment Tuesday, state education department spokesman Dennis Tompkins provided this statement: "We are now three years into a statewide effort to provide teachers with the professional development and other supports they need to make the transition to the Common Core. It's hard to understand how some can claim that they are being caught unprepared for the change. It's equally difficult to understand why anyone would suggest that the change is happening too quickly for teachers and students, when the exact opposite is true. If we want our children to be ready for college and meaningful careers, we need higher standards – and a way to measure whether those standards are being met – and we need them now."

But in an essay published by the Washington Post, a Long Island principal, Carol Burris of South Side High School, advised parents not to place too much emphasis on the results of state testing: "If you want to know how your child is doing in school, ask his or her teacher. Do not ever believe that your child’s potential for success in college and in life can be demonstrated by an elementary, or even a middle-school test."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here