By:John Borrelli
Superintendent questions test value
The state Department of Education has released figures detailing exactly how well eighth grade students fared on assessment tests designed to assure success on regents exams. The scores are for the 1999-2000 school year.
The assessments are a response to state-mandated higher standards required for high school graduation. By 2005, students must pass five regents exams with a minimum score of 55 in order to graduate. A score of 65 or better is needed for state regents credit. Assessments testing begins as early as the fourth grade to help make certain that students will be able to pass the regents exams given at the high school level.
The state has a four-level system to evaluate students' test performance. Each level represents a range of scores. Students who score within the Level 1 range, according to Lynbrook North Middle School Principal Dr. William O'Sullivan, have "serious academic deficiencies." The state has ordered that Level 1 students must receive Academic Intervention Services (AIS), classes designed to help these students which can be given before the school day begins or at the end of the day, usually once or twice a week.
Students scoring in Level 2 also must receive AIS, but usually they require less of this additional help. And the extra help isn't always purely academic. Sometimes bright students fare poorly on these tests, in which case the school can help by "offering motivational counseling," O'Sullivan said.
At Lynbrook North last year, 67 students, including special education students, took the test. None scored in the Level 1 range, and 69 percent scored in the Level 3 or 4 range, which indicates that they will be able to pass the regents.
But 31 percent scored in the Level 2 range. A Level 2 score indicates that the student's skills, according to O'Sullivan, "may be a little weak, that he or she maybe just passed. It means we need to keep an eye on that student."
The state has also created a "performance index" for schools. The formula for this index is based on the percentages of students falling into each of the four levels. The score needed to meet the state's goals on the performance index for the 1999-2000 school year is 140. Both middle schools in Lynbrook exceeded 140. North Lynbrook earned a 175.
"Our scores speak for themselves," said Lynbrook Schools Superintendent William Metkiff. Though he's happy with his district's scores, he expressed some concern about the usefulness of assessment tests. "The tests are not being used appropriately. As predictors of future performance, they're not used properly."
Metkiff pointed out that test results come a year after the tests are taken, and that these tests are not designed to pinpoint students' weak areas. He compared the assessment tests to competency tests given years ago, which, he said, "didn't serve much purpose."
Metkiff said he's happy that the state has upgraded curriculum standards, but added that the new tests "lack specifics. These tests have created an industry--review guides, tutors--but for what?"
Metkiff said that the list of school's test results encouraged competition among districts, which "is meaningless." He also stated that the published results "could have an effect on property values. What does that have to do with educatuing a child?"
"Our goal is to help the child. These tests don't help the child. I think it's politically motivated."
No finals, and that's assessment
Though no hard and fast rule is in place, many Lynbrook eighth graders won't be taking finals this year.
Dr. William O'Sullivan at Lynbrook North Middle School said finals will be dropped in all areas where an assessment test is given. Further, the assessment test score will have no bearing on a student's final grade. "The final grade, which usually comes from the average of the four marking periods and a final exam, will be based only on the four marking periods," O'Sullivan said.
Assessment test scores won't be available until next year.
According to O'Sullivan, the superintendent and parents have seen to it that students in eighth grade who take the earth science regents will not have to take the assessment test in earth science. "The assessment test is to get students ready for the regents. If they're taking the Regents, there's no need for them to take the assessment test, " he said.
