P’ville School Officials Blast Move to Computer-Based Testing
Although computerized testing in New York school districts is still two years away, the Pleasantville Board of Education wasted little time last week criticizing the new system.
During their Jan. 22 meeting, board members discussed potential pitfalls of computer-based testing that will begin in the 2014-15 school year. Students would be required to take the statewide English Language Arts (ELA) and math exams in grades 3-8 and all Regents exams on computers.
Board President Lois Winkler said she has yet to see a what the positive impact would be from the scheduled reform.
“It doesn’t appear that it’s going to benefit the students, our ability to improve instruction,” Winkler said. “It doesn’t seem like it’s going to provide any benefit.”
School officials foresee plenty of complications, much of it to do with the additional preparation costs for many districts. There would be extra expenses to increase bandwidth, add laptops/tablets and storage carts, licensing fees and other related items and services.
The state Education Department (SED) notified districts of the change last May in a letter from Commissioner of Education John King Jr. The letter stated that while the agency continues to increase students’ access to “rigorous, innovative learning opportunities, we must also increase our efforts around how we assess our students in ways that fully leverage today’s technology.”
King’s letter mentioned that the benefit for students is that they will be able to better demonstrate their technological proficiency. Among the benefits for districts is the ability to keep pace with national and international educational needs through technology.
Superintendent of Schools Mary Fox-Alter said the additional cost, estimated to run Pleasantville about $500,000, is an unfunded mandate with the financial burden falling on the district.
Districts have two budget cycles to prepare for the new testing, though Fox-Alter said Pleasantville has consistently invested in expanded bandwidth and Internet access prior to the new mandate.
Winkler said it’s another example of the state shifting costs to districts.
“It’s an enormous challenge,” Winkler said of the added costs. “…It’s going to make an already difficult budget cycle even more difficult and there seems to be no provisions for any support for this from the state.”
Another concern raised by the board was the potential problems that could arise. For some students the unfamiliarity of taking a test on a computer could impact scores, Winkler said. Another issue is the possibility of computer problems during a test, which would complicate or prevent students from finishing in the allotted time, she added.
Districts weren’t consulted before SED announced its decision, Winkler said. Advance notice would have been helpful.
“It would have been great if there had been some initial questions asked,” Winkler said. “Is this realistic? What’s this going to cost districts? Are you set up to do this now? What would be the impact on you? Do you think there’s value to it?”
Fox-Alter was also critical of SED’s decision and said the department should have put more thought into the issue before making the change. She also doesn’t see any difference if a multiple choice exam is administered on paper or computer.
“I disagree professionally with their point that computer-based testing prepares these young children for technology skills that they need in the 21st century,” Fox-Alter said.
