End Standardized Tests During the Pandemic

Act Now

New York’s students are struggling mightily during the pandemic.

Many of them lack access to reliable Internet, making remote learning next to impossible. Others with special needs have not gotten the in-person services they need for months. And all students have had to cope with the added stress and isolation that learning under a pandemic requires.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the Biden administration and Congress that in the midst of everything they are going through, the last thing students need is the stress of mandatory testing.

Message Recipients:
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

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New York’s students are struggling mightily during the pandemic.

Federally mandated tests will only make things worse.

Many lack access to reliable Internet at home, making remote learning next to impossible. Others with special needs have not gotten the in-person services they need for months. And all students have had to cope with the added stress and isolation of learning under a pandemic.

All of this has had a disproportionate impact on students of color and students in low-income households. New York’s education officials recognized this and requested that students be exempt from federal standardized testing this year, but the Biden administration has indicated it will reject those requests.

Healing the wounds of 2020 and preparing students for the future are enormous challenges for school districts. But forcing students to take mandated exams in the midst of the pandemic doesn’t help them learn or repair the damage wrought by COVID-19.

We know there are gaps in learning and achievement across the state, and teachers know exactly which of their students are struggling. Adding the pressure of a standardized exam, if districts can even administer it safely, is cruelty with no purpose. Worse, standardized tests have a demonstrated harmful impact on students of color and their schools – more often being used to penalize, stigmatize, and label rather than to direct assistance where it is needed.

The New York State Education Department did its part by cancelling all regents exams that are not federally mandated. Now it’s time to do your part.

We should be doing everything we can to make learning easier and set students up for success, rather than forcing educators to spend valuable time teaching to and administering ineffective tests.

We must waive federal testing requirements for this school year.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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End Standardized Tests During the Pandemic

Act Now

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