Published: March 25 2014 11:33
More than 100 representatives voted at the organization’s tri-annual meeting of the delegate assembly. Specifically, they called for the following three actions:
– The immediate end to the use of NECAP testing. The NEA, R. I., says Rhode Island Department of Education has now spent money on three different NECAP tests, allowed the use of 10 alternative tests, and allowed districts to develop waivers for students to meet their graduation requirements. Additionally, as districts transition to Common Core State Standards, there is little education value in giving a test while instructing students using a different set of criteria.
– A moratorium on the use of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, a test that will replace the NECAP in all but high school next year, as a graduation requirement and teacher evaluation tool. NEA says teachers, principals and superintendents have raised concerns that districts will not have the time necessary to adequately prepare curriculum for PARCC testing prior to using it as a basis for evaluation of both students and teachers.
– A thoughtful, collaborative approach to the development of the Common Core curriculum. The NEA, R.I., says the input of educators in the development of appropriate curriculum to meet the standards is essential, yet the state Board of Education and RIDE continue to press forward without the participation of classroom professionals.
NEAR, R.I. President Larry Purtill said, “We understand and support the commissioner’s request to the US Department of Education regarding a waiver until 2017 for PARCC to be part of teacher evaluation, but believe we need to go further.”
Purtill says that the value of NECAP testing has been undermined by the wide availability of alternative testing. He said, “Now that RIDE has given the test three times, offered 10 alternative tests, and created a waiver system, it is quite clear that NECAP has lost any real educational purpose. At what cost, both to students and taxpayers, have we instituted such relentless testing?”
“It is time, starting today” he said, “for the Board of Education and RIDE to listen to educators, students and parents and stop charging forward blindly with a test that clearly is not working.”
– Correction: The NEA, R.I., does not oppose moving to the Common Core standards.
– The immediate end to the use of NECAP testing. The NEA, R. I., says Rhode Island Department of Education has now spent money on three different NECAP tests, allowed the use of 10 alternative tests, and allowed districts to develop waivers for students to meet their graduation requirements. Additionally, as districts transition to Common Core State Standards, there is little education value in giving a test while instructing students using a different set of criteria.
– A moratorium on the use of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, a test that will replace the NECAP in all but high school next year, as a graduation requirement and teacher evaluation tool. NEA says teachers, principals and superintendents have raised concerns that districts will not have the time necessary to adequately prepare curriculum for PARCC testing prior to using it as a basis for evaluation of both students and teachers.
– A thoughtful, collaborative approach to the development of the Common Core curriculum. The NEA, R.I., says the input of educators in the development of appropriate curriculum to meet the standards is essential, yet the state Board of Education and RIDE continue to press forward without the participation of classroom professionals.
NEAR, R.I. President Larry Purtill said, “We understand and support the commissioner’s request to the US Department of Education regarding a waiver until 2017 for PARCC to be part of teacher evaluation, but believe we need to go further.”
Purtill says that the value of NECAP testing has been undermined by the wide availability of alternative testing. He said, “Now that RIDE has given the test three times, offered 10 alternative tests, and created a waiver system, it is quite clear that NECAP has lost any real educational purpose. At what cost, both to students and taxpayers, have we instituted such relentless testing?”
“It is time, starting today” he said, “for the Board of Education and RIDE to listen to educators, students and parents and stop charging forward blindly with a test that clearly is not working.”
– Correction: The NEA, R.I., does not oppose moving to the Common Core standards.
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