The New York State Assessments
By: Riley Johnston
By: Riley Johnston
The NYS assessments (The New York State assessments) are not improving education in America, they are only making matters worse for the students and teachers. Students already take enough tests, and the NYS test is just added pressure and stress. There is no need for the assessments if they do not count towards your overall average. The test is basically just there to check up on the teachers abilities while teaching. These tests are also not fair because the teachers and students do not know what is on them, so they cannot be taught or studied. The NYS assessments need to be stopped.
On the other hand, these tough assessments are improving. Some still feel that they would still need a lot more work before they consider participating in them. Personally, they're a huge waste of time. A lot of students do not even try, so the test is an inaccurate measure of our learning throughout the year. If the students do not try, or do bad on the test, there is a chance the teacher could be fired. Just because a few kids did bad on a test they were unable to study for, does not mean the teacher should lose their job. According to a NEA (national education association) survey, “72% of teachers said they felt pressure from their school and district administrators” (NEA website). Also, according to the national education association, “45% of teachers have considered quitting their jobs due to the assessments” (NEA website). This shows how much pressure is put onto the teachers, and their lives ahead of them. Kids cannot even study for this test, putting even more pressure on the teachers, because the kids might not know a lot of questions on it, risking the teacher's career.
More than 200,000 children, in grades 3rd through 8th, sat out in the New York’s standardized tests last year according to education officials. Since there is such a large number of students not taking the test, then why should it still be taken? It must not be important if people can opt out of it so easily, like many people did. The time that it takes to talk about the test, prepare for the test and take the test could be used so much more wisely.
Overall, the NYS tests are unhelpful, educational and very stressful. The tests can affect the teacher’s jobs, when the students do bad. This can also pressure some students because they do not want to get their teachers fired. Most students do not try, so the assessments are a huge waste of precious time that could be used for learning. The NYS tests need to be stopped so that we can use our time doing valuable things, that actually help children and their education.
On the other hand, these tough assessments are improving. Some still feel that they would still need a lot more work before they consider participating in them. Personally, they're a huge waste of time. A lot of students do not even try, so the test is an inaccurate measure of our learning throughout the year. If the students do not try, or do bad on the test, there is a chance the teacher could be fired. Just because a few kids did bad on a test they were unable to study for, does not mean the teacher should lose their job. According to a NEA (national education association) survey, “72% of teachers said they felt pressure from their school and district administrators” (NEA website). Also, according to the national education association, “45% of teachers have considered quitting their jobs due to the assessments” (NEA website). This shows how much pressure is put onto the teachers, and their lives ahead of them. Kids cannot even study for this test, putting even more pressure on the teachers, because the kids might not know a lot of questions on it, risking the teacher's career.
More than 200,000 children, in grades 3rd through 8th, sat out in the New York’s standardized tests last year according to education officials. Since there is such a large number of students not taking the test, then why should it still be taken? It must not be important if people can opt out of it so easily, like many people did. The time that it takes to talk about the test, prepare for the test and take the test could be used so much more wisely.
Overall, the NYS tests are unhelpful, educational and very stressful. The tests can affect the teacher’s jobs, when the students do bad. This can also pressure some students because they do not want to get their teachers fired. Most students do not try, so the assessments are a huge waste of precious time that could be used for learning. The NYS tests need to be stopped so that we can use our time doing valuable things, that actually help children and their education.