Statement of the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)
Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer
Today’s decision by the state Board of Regents to seek a federal waiver from the strictures of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is welcome news for school districts across this state that were facing unrealistic expectations, such as requiring 100 percent proficiency in English/Language Arts and mathematics by 2014.
New York schools can now focus exclusively on implementing the state’s aggressive education reform agenda to develop common core standards, increase college- and career-readiness, and adopt its new teacher and principal evaluation system.
In addition, school board members remain optimistic about the Regents’ actions to ensure the integrity of the state’s standardized testing system. While some of the measures are common-sense and welcomed by local educators, the cost factor involved in implementing many of these ideas should be carefully weighed during these trying economic times.
The Regents are correct in asking the state to help fund testing integrity efforts. They must ensure these costs are not passed down to local taxpayers.
