Dear Commons Community,

Last week, New York City approved the development of new tests in its public schools.  Up to sixteen new tests may be created .   Elementary school students would most likely take at least one or two additional tests every year, beginning in the third grade. High school students could take up to eight additional tests a year, and middle school students would also have extra tests. These would be in addition to the state English, math and Regents exams that students already take.  The difference of these tests is that they will be used to determine the effectiveness of teachers not necessarily the performance of students.  It is incredible that a school system that has based almost its entire school reform efforts over the past ten or so years on testing feels it has to do more testing.  I am sure that as these tests are administered, we will hear more from the teachers, parents and others.   On one side (central office administrators and politicians) will be the accountability advocates and on the other (principals, teachers, and parents) will be the plea to stop the testing insanity.  What the students think will not matter.

Tony