Teachers slam proposal to cut 2 social studies tests
June 18, 2010 by STACEY ALTHERR / stacey.altherr@newsday.com
A State Education Department proposal to eliminate two social studies assessment tests has roiled a teachers' group, which called it a "short-term solution" to the state's budget crisis that would harm students.
The "Chart A" plan eliminates fifth- and eighth-grade social studies testing, which are not mandated by the federal "No Child Left Behind" law. That elimination, along with other changes to the way state tests are administered, would save about $4.25 million, according to a memo by State Education Department Deputy Commissioner John King Jr.
The memo outlined two cost-saving proposals pegged to anticipated cuts to state aid for assessments. The governor's budget calls for an $11.5-million cut overall to the department, increasing to $21 million in 2011-12 due to the end of stimulus funding, the memo states.
Based on the governor's budget, the state Board of Regents has requested $7 million to "maintain" the assessment program. Without that, more draconian cuts would be made under what the memo termed a "Chart B" plan - including all foreign language Regents, except for French and Spanish, as well as eighth-grade second language exams and summer testing for Regent exams in Algebra 2, trigonometry and chemistry. "Chart B" would save an additional $6.15 million.
If a Regents committee approves the proposal Monday, it goes to the full board Tuesday.
Cutting social studies testing is shortsighted, said the Long Island Council for the Social Studies.
"The state exams in grades 5 and 8 insure that every child, despite their economic background, receives equal exposure to the core values of history, geography, economics and civics," the group's executive board wrote in a letter to state officials. "Eliminating the grades 5 and 8 assessments is a short-term solution to New York's economic problems because of the heavy opportunity costs involved."
A spokeswoman for State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said he would not comment on the Regents proposal until after the vote. A call to Long Island Regent Roger Tilles was not returned.
The proposal is not as drastic as one proposed in March that called for cutting as many as 13 of the 17 Regents exams.
Tests should not be eliminated because of budget cuts, said Jericho Superintendent Henry Grisham, who noted there are educational reasons to reduce testing. "I don't see this . . . obsession with assessment as providing benefits to schoolchildren," he said. "It has swung way too far the other way, with the pressure we're putting kids under, and what we have done to the instructional day, by increasing assessment."
