We must ensure standardized tests don't crowd out teaching, learning

Posted 7/28/16

To the Editor: I am writing to publicly applaud Rhode Island Education Commissioner Ken Wagner's recent decision on sparing 10th and 11th graders from Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing. Commissioner Wagner

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We must ensure standardized tests don't crowd out teaching, learning

Posted

To the Editor:

I am writing to publicly applaud Rhode Island Education Commissioner Ken Wagner's recent decision on sparing 10th and 11th graders from Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing. 

Commissioner Wagner has listened to parents, students, educators and the community. He has made a sound decision. 

The new federal law, Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), provides for a common sense testing plan that includes the Preliminary Student Aptitude Test and Student Aptitude Test (PSAT and SAT). 

The 2016-2017 Rhode Island State Budget provides for funding for those alternatives nationally recognized tests to students at no cost to families. As you are aware, PSAT and SAT are well known and utilized national tests. 

Previously to ESSA, far too much of a student's day was spent on testing rather than instruction. The new federal law has accountability and rigorous high standards that are approved by US Department of Education, however, individual states develop the plans. This gets away from one size fits all of No Child Left Behind, yet retains accountability.

Commissioner Wagner also addresses mathematical testing so it assesses students when they complete the enrolled courses. Prior to Commissioner Wagner, math testing would very often occur before a student had the course.

ESSA discards the "test-label-punish" mentality fostered by No Child Left Behind. Now we can all place particular emphasis on closing student achievement gaps and provide opportunities for learning, such as Advanced Placement Courses, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and the arts for well-rounded students. 

We must ensure that standardized tests don’t crowd out teaching and learning, without sacrificing clear, annual information parents and educators need to educate our children. 

While I have successfully fought off efforts to mandate standardized testing as a graduation requirement, I do believe that testing needs to be used to assess courses and students response and capabilities to ensure continuous and appropriate improvement.

ESSA has returned decision making to Rhode Island, parents, educators and the community – while keeping focus on students.  

We all know that there’s a lot more work to be done. And in today’s economy, a high-quality education is a prerequisite for success. Making a promise to educate every child with an excellent teacher – that’s the right thing to do, that’s the right goal. 

Now is the time to speak up- August 1 is the deadline to share your concerns and make sure that the new federal law, ESSA, becomes what it promises to be. 

Rep. Eileen Naughton

Warwick

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