Hundreds opt-out of math exams

Rockville Centre students joined the second round of opt-outs last week, with 59 percent of students declining the state math exam.

In grades three through seven, 830 students opted out of the tests (eighth graders don’t take the math exam). The numbers were almost identical to the students opting out of the ELA exam, which was administered from April 12 through 15.

After more than 60 percent of students opted out of the ELA exams, the district expected the high numbers for the math exam opt-outs.

The movement has sparked a statewide talk about the exams and how well they do the job they were created for: measuring the college and career readiness of students.

“I think that [the opt-out movement] is going to have an effect on Albany. It’s hard to read it right now because it’s not over yet,” said Rockville Centre Superintendent Dr. William Johnson. “I think a lot remains to be seen. After the testing is over, are these parents going to sit idly by and not get involved with their legislators as the session winds down? I think you’re going to see parents who are leaders in this movement meet with legislators to put pressure on the state Education Department to modified it’s testing or look at other models.”

Johnson explained that a proper test would do two things: it would show whether the district is making satisfactory progress with students, and it should also give teachers and principals the information they need to help students who are struggling.

“We happen to use the [Northwest Evaluation Association test for internal measures], so we know the turnaround time for getting info to a school district can be measured in days and weeks, not months,” Johnson said, referencing the months it takes for the state to give districts the results from the ELA and math exams. “When we get the info back in a timely fashion, our teachers use it right away. If we see someone struggling, we can provide them services right away. We don’t need to wait six months.”

The other benefit to an exam like the NWEA, Johnson said, is that it takes 40 to 45 minutes to administer, compared to the more than three hours (stretched out over three days) it takes to complete a state exam.