New York State education officials have agreed to request a waiver from the Secretary of Education from federally mandated testing this spring, due to the pandemic. State officials recognize that the pandemic has caused gross inequities in opportunity to learn and would serve no useful purpose. (Under normal circumstances the federally required tests serve no useful purpose, but they are a terrible burden this year, in addition to being worthless.)
The federal response may be delayed since the Senate is moving slowly to confirm President Biden’s Cabinet appointments.
Every state should seek a waiver. Students have been subject to trauma and daily disruption. Now is not the time to focus on test scores. It’s time to give students the social, emotional, and academic support they need. The most avid proponents of resuming standardized testing have never been teachers.
That is huge news! Way to go New York!
What about California?
9 of 11 State Board members said they supported applying for a waiver. I believe we need State Board President Linda Darling-Hammond to call for a vote and then have Governor Newsom agree. The CTA is working in support.
👏🏼👏🏼 It will be awesome if 49 others join NY in requesting waivers.
NPE petition to Secretary Cardona to cancel the Spring tests. Please sign and share!
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/secretary-cardona-cancel-the-tests
Signed. 3.7 million US teachers, if they sign, should make an impact. Pass it along to family and friends for a stronger effect.