Educators Go Silent on State Tests, More Than Last Year

As the first week of state tests for elementary and middle school students came to an end, many teachers and principals once again said they were divided about the tests' quality and value. But, unlike last year, their comments mostly were muted and off the record.

This stands in stark contrast to the press conferences and opinion pieces from local educators last year. Megan Devir, a parent at P.S. 321 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, said teachers told her they have issues with the test but felt a lot of pressure to stay quiet.

"They said that this does not mean we think this year's test is better than last year's but they are not going to be able to speak out about it," she said of the teachers, adding that local educators were uncomfortable with the rule prohibiting them from seeing the tests before students took them.

There were a few teachers willing to talk, with caveats.

"I am not entirely sure what skills they are testing at times or why it needs to be three days long," said one middle school teacher who spoke as long as he was not named. "Surely, a test can be designed that would be flexible enough to provide a challenge to learners at many different levels and do so in less than four hours for the eighth grade."  

Education historian and activist Diane Ravitch said she's heard from teachers across the state concerned about the test questions, particularly that the language was above grade level.

DNAInfo reported on yet another concern that has come up in years past: product placement in the test questions. The article cited a sixth grader from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn who told his mother about a fire-blocking gel that was featured prominently in a reading passage.

As for the rules regarding teachers discussing the test, the state issues directions that forbid seeing or sharing information about the tests. 

“Test books and scoring materials must be kept secure. You are not to discuss the test, show it to anyone, or photocopy the materials, as the security of the test could be breached. However, school personnel may make photocopies of this Teacher’s Directions if additional copies are needed.” 

Tom Dunn, spokesman for the New York State Education Department, said 50 percent of all test questions would be released this year, as they were last year. The remaining questions are kept confidential for use in developing questions for future exams. 

The head of testing company Pearson said in a blog post last year that there is no "gag order" on teachers forbidding them to discuss the test.