Schools
Levittown Parent Blasts NYS Common Core Testing
The controversial assessments are mandated by the federal law known as "No Child Left Behind"; testing started Tuesday in the Levittown School District.
The mandated NYS tests in English and Math are creating a large emotional and physical toll for students, parents and teachers, resident Colleen Napoli said during Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting.
The Levittown School District began administering NYS assessments for grades 3-8 on Tuesday, April 16, as mandated by “No Child Left Behind.”
Results of the tests will be used to measure and monitor school and district accountability, as well as the progress of students in English and Math and to evaluate teacher effectiveness, and will be based on new Common Core Learning Standards, the District said in a release to parents.
However, some parents, including Napoli, say that the testing is too difficult and is causing more harm than good.
“This testing is just too much – look at the seventh grade this week. They have this whole week of testing, next week of testing. Then science testing, their math testing, then a field test group for the next test coming up?" Napoli said.
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"Does anyone think this is crazy, with so many hours of testing in one year? They are not in college – they are in seventh grade!” she said.
Parents across Long Island have expressed concern about the testing, joining the Facebook group Long Island Opt-out. Over 8,300 members have joined the group as of Thursday, April 18.
Napoli said that other boards have adopted resolutions on behalf of their districts, saying to the state that they believe the testing is not appropropriate. Those districts include Rochester, Pleasantville, New Paltz, Westchester Putnam County, North Bellmore and Herricks, according to Napoli.
"I’ve never heard more of my friend teachers say that they are just tired of teaching. It’s not what they went into it for,” Napoli said. “My husband comes home saddeneded that one of his kids was crying today because he couldn’t finish the test… I’d like you to adopt a resolution.”
School Board President Michael Pappas thanked Napoli for speaking her mind. “I can’t say that we’re going to adopt it today or at any point, but we are going to look at it. Thank you,” Pappas said.
What do you think about the Common Core NYS testing? Tell us in the comments below.
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