Albany, NY - May 20, 2015 - A bill authored by Assemblymembers Todd Kaminsky and Cathy Nolan to reverse the negative effects of the high-stakes Common Core testing environment passed the Assembly today. The legislation includes measures to ensure that test questions are grade-level appropriate, that state education aid is not tied to teacher evaluations, and other necessary changes to improve public education.
“Teachers should not be evaluated on tests that are inherently flawed,” Assemblyman Kaminsky said. “These tests are often well above grade level and are not a fair measure of how well our teachers are teaching and our students are performing.”
The bill (A.7303 – A) includes the following provisions:
· ensures that test questions are readable and grade-level appropriate
· requires that students with disabilities, those living in poverty and English learners are taken into account when reviewing teacher effectiveness
· provides funding to allow for the annual release of test questions and answers by June 1
· provides a one-year extension for the implementation of common core teacher evaluations so that regents have the time to carefully and thoughtfully enact standards going forward
· prohibits state education aid from being linked to the new teacher evaluations
· requires the commissioner to review and modify Common Core education standards· ensures that test questions are readable and grade-level appropriate
· requires that students with disabilities, those living in poverty and English learners are taken into account when reviewing teacher effectiveness
· provides funding to allow for the annual release of test questions and answers by June 1
· provides a one-year extension for the implementation of common core teacher evaluations so that regents have the time to carefully and thoughtfully enact standards going forward
· prohibits state education aid from being linked to the new teacher evaluations
· requires the commissioner to review and modify Common Core education standards
“We welcome any development that would turn our focus away from testing and punishing and back to teaching and learning. This is such a development and we hope it leads to meaningful changes,” said Ric Stark, President of the Hewlett Woodmere Faculty Association.
“It is time that we release test questions so teachers can better prepare their students. It is also essential to give schools more budgeting predictability and fairer assessment by unlinking state school aid to teacher evaluations. I have full confidence that this legislation, which passed the Assembly today, will go a long way to reverse the negative effects of Common Core testing,” Kaminsky said.
Broadcast: MPG - For technical questions regarding the video file, please contact Mike Mann, NYS Assembly Conference Services 518-455-5033