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351. Rochester: Criticism Over High Stakes Standardized Testing

Rochester, N.Y.—This week thousands of local 3rd through 8th grade students are taking New York State standardized tests.

Last week, a question on the 8th grade English assessment has sparked controversy over the exams....Eventually, the New York State Education Commissioner did release a memo stating that those series of questions would be thrown out. However, there are additional claims of typos on math questions, difficult reading and writing passages and some people have criticized the tests were too long..

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Print Story Published: 4/26 8:01 am Share Updated: 4/26 11:05 amRochester, N.Y.—This week thousands of local 3rd through 8th grade students are taking New York State standardized tests.

Last week, a question on the 8th grade English assessment has sparked controversy over the exams. Many say that questions regarding a passage about a hare and a talking pineapple were ambiguous and seemed to have no answer. Students and adults are stumped.

Zach Anderson, an 8th grade English teacher in Webster, says his students were confused by the passage.

“After taking the test, the kids immediately gravitated towards that passage,” he says. “They wanted to know what the right answer was. The teacher in me had to be neutral and not answer, but there was a lot stress caused by that one passage.”

Eventually, the New York State Education Commissioner did release a memo stating that those series of questions would be thrown out. However, there are additional claims of typos on math questions, difficult reading and writing passages and some people have criticized the tests were too long.

On Wednesday, several principals across New York state sent an open letter to the State Department of Education blasting the tests.

Anderson says that the flawed tests are also frustrating for many of his fellow teachers.

“Questions like [The Hare and the Pineapple] are things that are beyond my control and no teacher likes that,” he explains. “So when teachers see questions and passages such as ‘The Hare and the Pineapple’, they feel it sets them up.”

Howard Maffucci, the former superintendent at the East Rochester School District, says mistakes on standardized tests aren’t all that rare. However, the mistakes are more risky because they can now affect teacher evaluations.

“Mistakes do happen, but it doesn’t bode well for confidence,” he says. “Especially when you are using the results in a very, very high stakes way.”

Maffucci says there are also concerns over the scoring model. He says New York State has gone towards an accountability system based on the National Assessment for Education Progress. He believes it’s a yardstick that is insufficient when used to rate students, teachers or schools. According to Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski, most districts in the Rochester area have yet to negotiate a contract on teacher evaluations. That means this year’s tests will not count for or against teachers. However, the scores can be used to grade schools.

The Rochester City School District and RTA has negotiated a teacher evaluation system, however, both parties have agreed that this year’s test results will not be used because it is the pilot year... (though they ran the testing last year as well)...

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Criticism-Over-High-Stakes-Standardized-Testing/-Mv9wvjr9US83unEVROVxA.cspx


Wonder if NY's state testing (education "reform&quot has anything to do with "passing out packets" and test-driven teaching?