New York, NY —

When the city's public schools reopen tomorrow, education officials will be tracking student achievement much more closely. The city is giving five assessments this year in math and five in reading. The tests are meant to help teachers monitor student progress and assist kids who are struggling.

REPORTER: Staff developer Valerie Rhodes, who works with math teachers at PS 112 near Co-Op City in the Bronx, says the new assessments will point out weaknesses before the big annual state exams.

RHODES: We want to help the kids who are not doing well in certain areas. If you’re testing and not looking at data, that data helps to drive instruction.

REPORTER: But Hallie Moskowitz, a 5th grade teacher at PS 171 in Manhattan, worries that teachers and students are already under too much test-pressure.

MOSKOWITZ: I think it takes away from the fun of learning to the pain of a test. The worry of a test. I have children break down crying just on interim assessments.

REPORTER: Test results will eventually be posted online for teachers and parents to see.