[TNS-list] State tests and how they impact our teachers' evaluations

[Rachel Birdsall]

TNS Families,

There has been a lot of confusion this year about whether the scores from the 3-5 grade state English (ELA) and math tests will impact our teachers' evaluations.  The short answer is: they will, even though Cuomo announced that there’s a  “moratorium” on the use of test scores in the teacher evaluation process. 

NYC OPT put together a concise summary of this issue, which I have pasted below, along with a link to the document.  If you have any questions about this, or about testing in general, please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Advocacy Committee (you will see them in the lobby tomorrow and in the weeks ahead, handing out information and Opt Out letters) and we will do my best to get you the information you need.  Also, please attend the meeting next Wednesday (3/23) to hear about the school’s testing philosophy and to get answers to your questions!


"MYTH: A new moratorium solves the teacher-evaluation problem

Fact: A task force appointed by Cuomo has recommended that the state temporarily suspend using the state tests to evaluate teachers because the tests are flawed and need to be overhauled. So, for the next few years (through spring 2018) scores on the state tests will not be calculated into the teachers’ ratings. Sound good? Guess again. Students will now have to take an ADDITIONAL standardized test (on top of the state tests) for the sole purpose of rating their teachers.

In this interrim period, state officials will be creating new state tests, using new learning standards, and a new vendor – a corporation called Questar will be replacing Pearson. Those new tests are slated to be used in 2019 <http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/Regents-plan-new-timeline-for-revising-Common-Core-6847525.php>.

Even though state officials have admitted that the current state tests are problematic, students are still expected to take them. And teachers will continue to receive a growth score based on their students’ results; a score that — while not officially part of their teacher rating — can nonetheless be used to fire teachers deemed “ineffective” <https://rankandfilenewyork.wordpress.com/> and to place low-performing schools into receivership.

Still confused about what this moratorium means? You’re not alone. But perhaps the most important point to remember is that state law requires half of a teachers’ rating to be based on standardized test scores. Unless that law is changed, high-stakes testing will continue, business as usual."


To see entire fact sheet go to http://www.optoutnyc.com/test-info/myths-and-facts/ <http://www.optoutnyc.com/test-info/myths-and-facts/>


Best,

Rachel Birdsall
TNS Advocacy Committee 
(& Hugo’s mom) 
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