N.J. commission urges school districts to reduce testing
JANUARY 23, 2015, 5:22 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015, 5:35 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Gov. Christie’s commission on student testing on Friday called for school districts to review and to consider cutting back their own exams amid rising concerns about too much testing in schools.
But it appears unlikely that New Jersey will drop out or delay new standards-based state tests as other states have done amid public furor over a testing culture that critics say takes away from classroom learning. The commission, in its initial report released Friday, instead urges a larger look at the whole body of tests and quizzes that students get on a daily basis.
“We want every district, school and classroom to engage in this review to make sure all assessments are high quality and efficient and not redundant,” said David Hespe, the commission of education.
Hespe, who is leading the nine-member commission on student assessments, said there is far more local testing than state testing and that districts, schools and parents need to review and establish testing policies to suit their communities. That includes evaluating how they use tests in schools, the purpose of each test, and whether any are redundant.
“If that means a school might have to roll back assessments, by all means we would support that,” Hespe said.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-commission-urges-school-districts-to-reduce-testing-1.1239411