By DEBBIE ROSEN
"We are all extremely concerned," said Dr. Herb Brown, superintendent of schools. "Has the pendulum swung too far? Giving what could possibly be for some students, up to [seven] state tests in a six-week period is wrong."
Last year, the State Education Department required students to
take two tests, math and English Language Arts. This year, eighth graders will take three more exams -- social studies, a two-parter in science, and technology proficiency. Those students accelerated in math will also take the Sequential One Regents exam, and those accelerated in science will take the biology Regents. With a grand total of seven for some students, administrators are concerned about stress, cost and gaps where curriculum and exams might not mesh yet.
State-mandated tests given in the eighth grade cover information
learned from fifth through eighth grades. However, students in the eighth-grade biology classes will take both a Regents for that course and a state test in living science. Dr. Brown and Les Milch, science chairperson for the middle school, are looking into ways to fill in instructional gaps between the two areas of science. But Dr. Brown also said students should not be deterred from taking on accelerated classes.
"What would happen if we didn't give them?" board trustee Kim Garrity said of not giving a test, and shook her head.
According to Dr. Brown, the district would risk state funding it it refused to do the testing.
"We explained what this does to the life of a youngster," Middle School Principal Enid D'Arrigo said. "We laid out an eighth grader's schedule at that time of year, when they have concerts, finals, sports. These tests take away from teaching time.
"Down the pike if there's a course, there'll be a test. We hear the state may add another two assessment tests in art and home and careers," she added.
Representatives from the State Education Department said complaints aren't new to them, and that at least one test, technology, can be given in another grade if a school district changed its curriculum.
Mrs. D'Arrigo and her staff decided students will take final exams during class time this year to alleviate any additional stress during the six-week state testing period. Usually a finals week is set aside for students to take regular final examinations.
As chairperson for the Nassau County Superintendent's
Legislation committee, Dr. Brown said superintendents and legislators are set to meet in March to discuss the cost of such increased testing. "I think the State Ed Department is walking a fine line with the legislature," said Dr. Brown. "Each district is preparing the cost of implementing these
standards, and I think you will see the numbers are staggering."
Costs mount as districts spend money trying to realign curriculum,
provide staff development and supply students with new books and materials to go along with the standards. Districts are also spending money to pay for
teachers who give Regents review courses at night or after-school courses for middle-school preparation.
During an interview the day after the meeting, students at the middle school talked about their concerns about the number of tests.
Zachary Madin feels stressed out over the time limits on state tests. "We have an allotted time to finish the tests, and in that time we have to read, think of strategies, and I know I'd feel a lot better if there was no time limit," he said.
Jayson Vignola is afraid the test will bring down his average.
"It's silly," Justin Karasick said of the idea that one test can
be used to determine his understanding of a subject.
Language Arts teacher Denise Rothman finds herself drained from the
strain and thinks her students feel the same way she does. Ms. Rothman has her students practice listening, note-taking, and writing long and short responses.
The activity is a natural daily activity, which is not done to teach to
the test but in alignment with it. And she never mentions the word teachers have been told is taboo -- assessment. "I try not to place a
great deal of emphasis on the tests," said Ms. Rothman. "I feel sorry
for these kids. There are so many tests they have to take in just one
year."
Technology teacher Brian Stern agrees. He has asked for approval to
attend a conference on the new technology assessment. "This is the first time the technology proficiency exam is going to be given, and it's really stressful because we've only seen one sample," he said.
