Testing
set to resume in April
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell
(D-Theresa) called on the state Senate to pass the Assembly’s legislation delaying
the effects of Common Core before the next round of testing begins on April
1. The Assembly bill currently does not
have a companion version in the Senate.
“The disastrous implementation of
Common Core has caused nothing but outrage and anxiety for our students,
parents and educators,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “It is now time for the
Senate to pass this legislation and spare our kids from another round of high
stakes tests for which they have not been adequately prepared.”
The Assembly’s legislation, which passed
121-10, prevents the use of Common Core test scores from third to eighth grade
as the sole or primary factor in determining student promotion or placement
decisions. Additionally, those exam results would be barred from being included
on a student’s official transcript or permanent record. The state Education
Department commissioner would also be required to reduce the number of field
tests administered in those grade years, noted Assemblywoman Russell. Through
an accelerated review of teacher evaluation system plans, some unnecessary
testing would be eliminated, enabling students to spend more time learning
rather than taking tests.
The bill would also delay the sharing of
sensitive student data until July 2015 and give parents and students the
ability to opt out of disclosing sensitive information to certain third-party
vendors. It would also require vendors to have a plan in place to resolve any
data breaches and immediately notify schools or the state Education Department
of any suspected or actual threat to data security.
“The Assembly heard the concerns of
communities across the state and passed a responsible bill that protects our
kids without risking billions in education dollars that our schools cannot
afford to lose,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This has gone on long enough; it
is time for the Senate to act.”
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