Is New York State testing our children out of an education?

As I attended yet another school related meeting on yet another educational change that will effect my children another parent calmly approached the Board of Education and this is what she had to say:

'Hello everyone, My name is Johanna I am a Miller Place Resident I am here tonight as a concerned parent of a 3rd grader at LADSBS. I am here to express serious concerns I have about excessive Standardized Testing.

A few weeks ago I read an article about “FIELD TESTS” and how our students are being used to help create future tests. I was concerned and upset because if I understand correctly, these field tests, test children on material they haven’t been taught yet. These tests have no bearing on my child's academic progress and are not used to evaluate our schools or teachers. If that’s true, my son will come home discouraged and feeling down about himself because he didn’t know the right answer.

I stopped by the district office last week to see what historical data exists about $$$ and time spent on all of these TESTS. Dr. Higurea took some time to speak to me. She told me there is no historical data, and it would probably take a while to compile it. She listened and asked for some time to call me back about my concerns. I am appreciative of the time she took to talk to me but wanted to also let the Board know how I feel. I am also concerned about Teaching for the Test. When will teachers have time to get to know the children, encourage them, innovate, motivate TEACH!!!! My child should not be just a number. Our children should be more than a number.

All this testing has the potential to harm our students’ educational progress, as they take valuable time away from meaningful instruction, and teachers’ attention away from the approved curriculum. When will they have time to sit with a child who says he doesn’t understand grouping in Math. Will he then be referred to the Envision Website? In my opinion that’s sad. I think these tests threaten the financial stability and long-term strength of our district, because expenses for the tests, data collection, and teacher evaluations will strain our budget unnecessarily and reduce the resources available for anything extra. Music, Art, Drama.

I am here to ask what happens if I Opt my Child out of the test? How will it affect Him? The Teacher? The school? I want to know if he does opt out, what does he get to do while the remainder of the class takes the test? Will he have to put his head down and sit in the class until they are done? Will he be allowed to go the library and read? Or can he be provided with an alternative for some kind of meaningful instruction? If I take him out of school when the test starts and return him after it's over what then? I want to know if he can legally be denied: Promotion to the next grade Services if needed Is this different for different grade levels? I respectfully request for the district to communicate the dates of all testing and assessments through the District web site, in a clear way so that parents and the community are aware of the extent that they take away from classroom time where the teachers can teach!

Finally I would like to ask the board to be supportive in coming up with some kind of resolution that will ask New York State to stop all of these assessments and testing…slow down….come up with assessments developed by the teachers, parents and district administration the ones who really know how our children are doing. Or they did, until now…. In closing I’d like to pass on a short story about Mrs. Watkins, my sons 2nd grade teacher last year. She made such an impact on him that he still talks about her, but especially something she always said to the class. “Smart people ask questions” Thank You'

No, thank you Johanna