The union sharply condemned the Board of Regents plan to require school districts to participate in field testing for state exams.
NYSUT supports districts that choose to opt out of field tests. In June, a number of districts — primarily in the lower Hudson Valley and on Long Island — chose not to participate in SED's field testing for grades 3-8 math and English language arts.
During debate at the Regents' November meeting, Regent Kathleen Cashin questioned Commissioner John King Jr. about the timing of the regulation.
"I'm not refuting what you're saying about validity," she said. "What I'm cautioning us to be aware of is, at a time when there is a tremendous anti-testing movement ... Why are we mandating it if we don't have to?"
The proposal will be open for public comment for 45 days after it is published in the New York State Registry. Final approval by the Regents would take place in February.
NYSUT will post a comment link on www.nysut.org once the link is posted by SED.
— Sylvia Saunders