The governor of New Jersey, Governor Murphy, has recently asked the Biden administration for a waiver on the required state testing requirement. The governor has suggested that students and teachers have already been under a great deal of stress and that preparing for these standardized tests will just add to student and teacher stress. In addition, the governor suggests that more time is needed for classroom teaching. Many people are applauding this decision by the governor, and stating that the governor is "standing up for students." On the other hand, many feel that end-of-the-year testing allows parents to know exactly how well their child is doing in school and how well they have been taught throughout the year. A number of parents would prefer that the tests go forward so that they could be sure of accountability on the part of each of the school districts. If states wish to receive federal funding then they are required to submit end-of-year test standardized test grades for each school district within the state. The Biden administration has not responded to the New Jersey request for a waiver.
Do you have an opinion on this topic? Are you in favor of requesting a waiver on testing? Why? Are you not in favor of requesting this waiver? Why? Is there a compromise position that might make everyone "sort of" happy?
In regards to this topic, my opinion would be of agreeing with the governor about him having suggested that since students and teachers have already been under a great deal of stress throughout all that has happened, standardized tests become more of a burden then anything else and will just add to student and teacher stress levels. The governor suggesting that more time is needed for classroom teaching is indeed worth applauding and does show him standing up for students in this state. I am in favor of requesting a waiver on testing as it is now very difficult to truly assess students and even teacher with all that is going on as changes a rapidly occurring throughout school districts across the state at a VERY rapid rate. The only way to have a compromise position that might make everyone perhaps "sort of" happy or in a half full, half empty mind state would have to require collaboration amongst the sides to create an equal ground. The key here is for the situation to be win-win for teachers and the students and with that, everyone including parents and or other educational members can truly rally behind.
ReplyDeletePaul Greco
I believe that waiving the testing could be good for New Jersey students. I think teachers and students have been under a great deal of stress and pressure over the past year that this will make it easier for them. Testing is not my strong suit, I am not very good at testing so anytime I hear that someone wants to waive or get rid of testing I am all for it. I try to think of the students in my shoes. They may be good students, smart in class but when testing comes they get anxiety and flustered because they are pressured to do well.
ReplyDeleteThe other side of this is the teacher side. Teachers use test scores to assess their students. I do think other things can be done to assess their students better.
A compromise that may make some "happy" is maybe eliminating some of the state tests. Getting rid of some of them, but not all of them may make some people "happy".
-KYLIE BALCHAN
I believe having a wavier for standardized testing is a positive thing. Teachers and students are still trying to cope with new ways of learning and teaching. Having students taking the standardized tests would be unfair because it isn't in the same environment as past students. I cannot see how teachers will be able to observe or measure their students knowledge if it isn't through big test like these. I do believe it would be a big weight off of both parties. This will not make everyone "happy" but not giving out these standardized test during a pandemic would really send a relief to students and teachers.
ReplyDelete