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Overcast State suspends Regents tests; AP exams will be online
Baldwin schools adjust to different evaluation measures
The Baldwin School District has been adjusting to a new normal since the outbreak of Covid-19 halted regular operations this spring, including testing.
The New York State Board of Regents passed a series of measures last week aimed at easing the burden on school districts, including the suspension of Regents exams for the year.
The State Education Department issued a news release on April 6, saying it will “amend the commissioner’s regulations to provide that an alternative form of evaluation for students receiving home instruction, in lieu of an annual assessment, will be permitted for all grades in the 2019 – 20 school year, due to the State of Emergency declared by the governor.”
“How will students be graded for Quarter 4 and the full course at the secondary schools?” Baldwin Schools Superintendent Dr. Shari Camhi wrote in a letter to Baldwin families posted on the district website on April 7. “This is a conversation already underway. We are looking at several options, but we do want to make sure that whatever is decided, it is fair to all students.”
Additionally, the NYSED last month had suspended shipping the grades three through eight English Language Arts tests that were scheduled to arrive in schools March 16 to 18. SED officials said this was done because schools are closed amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has put a tremendous burden on many New Yorkers, and our schools and children are no exception,” Betty Rosa, the Board of Regents chancellor, said in a statement. “The regulations passed by the board today will allow schools, students and professionals much-needed flexibility while they adapt to this rapidly evolving situation.”
Students who would have taken Regents exams would be exempted from passing the assessments in order to receive a diploma, according to another NYSED news release, and, to qualify for the exemption, students must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
— The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have earned credit in such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
— The student is in grade 7, is enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and will have passed such course of study by the end of the 2019-20 school year; or
— The student is currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents examination and has failed to earn credit by the end of the school year. Such student returns for summer instruction to make up the failed course and earn the course credit and is subsequently granted diploma credit in August 2020; or
—The student was previously enrolled in the course of study leading to an applicable Regents examination, has achieved course credit, and has not yet passed the associated Regents examination but intended to take the test in June 2020 to achieve a passing score.
Questions about the fate of the Advanced Placement exams, initially scheduled for May, are swirling, too. According to the Baldwin School District and College Board, which administers the exams, the tests will be online this year and “open book.”
The exam would only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March, according to College Board. The tests will be given between May 11 and 22, and make-up tests will be available from June 1 to 5.
The College Board has created a webpage with updates related to schools impacted by coronavirus. Visit apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-update.
“I do think we need to be prepared for a prolonged closure,” Camhi said in the letter. “It is in the best interest of public health that large groups of people do not congregate. This is not what our community wants to hear. It is not what our teachers, administrators and staff want to hear. It is especially not what our 5th-, 8th- and 12th- graders and their families want to hear. If we are lucky enough to open earlier than what is anticipated, we will do so joyfully. We will, however, do what is best for our entire community and what we are directed to do so by our governor. At this time, we must remain closed, and we will continue to do our best making sure our students are learning from home.”
Additionally, school budget votes have been delayed until at least June 1 because of the coronavirus outbreak, by order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The votes were scheduled to take place on May 19.
Baldwin students also wondered about whether or not they would be able to walk at a graduation ceremony or attend prom.
“Will all spring activities be canceled?” Camhi wrote in the letter. “All of these decisions will be made as events get closer. Obviously, if we remain closed, all activities will be canceled.”
