Majority says 'no' to state tests

More than half of the students eligible for the state English Language Arts assessments in both Lynbrook and East Rockaway “opted out” of the exams last week, and many other parents throughout Nassau County refused to have their children sit for the tests.

In Lynbrook, 727 students — 56 percent of those eligible for the exams — opted out. In East Rockaway, 299 students, or 52 percent of the district’s eligible population, did the same.

The exams, given April 13-17, were designed to measure students’ reading and writing skills. They do not affect students’ grades, but do factor heavily into teacher evaluations and district ratings. Under new regulations passed with this year’s state budget, the results of the assessments will account for half of a teacher’s overall evaluation.

Melissa Burak, superintendent of the Lynbrook school district, said she was not surprised by the number of opt-outs, crediting a statewide effort, organized by parents and educators, to encourage residents to refuse the exams. She added that the number of children that did not sit for these tests should send a clear message to lawmakers that parents and teachers don’t approve of the exams.

“Albany is being told that no individual, student or teacher should be evaluated based on the outcome of one exam,” Burak said.

Craig Kirchenberg, president of the Lynbrook Teachers Association, said he, too, believed the number of non-participants was a strong indication of parents’ feelings about the exams. “I was glad to see so many people educate themselves about this exam and really make a decision about what is right for their child and their family,” Kirchenberg said. “This isn’t just in Lynbrook, or just in Nassau County, or even just Long Island. This is a statewide issue, and I think this shows better than anything else just how fed up people are with this system.”