End Use of High Stake Tests to Grade Teachers

ALBANY, 04/30/18 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced senate introduction of legislation he co-sponsors which would eliminate the use of high-stake standardized tests to evaluate teachers and principals.

“I have opposed tying standardized test results to teacher assessments from the time the governor first forced the policy through as part of the 2015-16 state budget,” said Senator Seward.  “It is important to evaluate teacher performance to ensure we have the best and brightest standing at the front of the classroom educating our kids, however, high-stake standardized tests are the wrong measuring stick.” 

Student scores for grade 3-8 math and English standardized tests were added to the teacher evaluation formula as part of Governor Cuomo’s 2015-16 state budget.  At the time, Senator Seward successfully fought to reduce the emphasis on standardized tests as compared to the governor’s initial proposal.    Senate bill 8301 would completely eliminate the use of the standardized tests entirely and require the State Education Department to establish an alternative assessment system.

“When the governor first began his offensive against teachers, I expressed my dismay.  The problems he described simply were not evident in the schools in my senate district – I know, because I spend time visiting classrooms and meeting with teachers and administrators.  The new senate legislation I co-sponsor will ensure that reasonable criteria, developed by education professionals, will be used to measure teacher performance.   This will end the so-called ‘teaching to the test’ mindset that many teachers are forced to adopt and lead to a better overall learning atmosphere in our classrooms,” Seward concluded.

The senate bill and companion legislation (A.10475) introduced in the assembly are each sponsored by the respective chamber’s education committee chair.

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