Parents Remain Divided on State Testing

Next week, third through eighth graders in public schools will find fewer questions on their New York State standardized tests. However, the big question for parents still remains: Opt out or opt in?

From Tuesday through next Thursday, New York State will administer its Common Core English Language Arts tests. Over the last four years, the tests have instigated a widespread “opt-out” movement in reaction to government policies that pushed for test scores to be used to penalize underperforming teachers and struggling schools. They were also unpopular among some parents and educators who felt students were already taking enough tests each year.

Education activists and parents around the country joined in an opt-out movement that was strongest in New York State, where, in 2016, some 20 percent of students refused to take the state test.

This year, in an effort to stem the tide of anxious parents, New York State has implemented several changes to the test. Most notably, the three-part test, which includes E.L.A., mathematics, and science components, will be spaced out. The E.L.A. portion will take place next week, math on May 2 through 5, and science at the end of May. There will also be fewer questions in each section, and, as was the case last year, the tests will not be timed.

In an email to parents, Charles Soriano, the East Hampton Middle School principal wrote, “The state has (finally) listened to schools and incorporated several positive changes to the testing program. I firmly believe that these tests are responsible gauges of our students’ efforts in learning to become readers, writers, and critical thinkers.” Dr. Soriano urged parents to help quell unnecessary anxiety about the tests, emphasizing that it is “not worth it,” since they take up less than 1 perent of the time teachers spend with their students.

The Springs School held two informational workshops for parents on the English and math tests and posted a resource booklet for parents on its website detailing the goals of the tests and explaining this year’s changes. The online booklet also noted the state’s expectation that “all public school students in grades three through eight are required to take all state tests administered for their grade level.”

Beth Doyle, the John M. Marshall Elementary School principal in East Hampton, said she has not sensed the same level of resistance to the tests as she did last year, when the school had 31 out of 310 students opt out in third through fifth grade. To date, said Ms. Doyle, “we have only received two letters opting out.”

At the Montauk school, Brigid Collins, the assistant principal, said she did not notify parents of changes to the tests, as she felt there had been a lot of press coverage on the topic already. Ms. Collins echoed Ms. Doyle’s sentiment, pointing out that the number of parents who have sent letters to have their kids opt out was much lower this year.

“Last year we had 52 out of 212 students in third to eighth grade opt out. This year, I’ve only received a few letters opting out. But,” she added, “we’ll have to wait and see what happens next week.”

Jeffrey Mansfield, a parent of three elementary students at the Bridgehampton School, knows exactly where his kids will be on Tuesday. “Taking the test,” said Mr. Mansfield. “However, I want to stress that I completely respect every parent’s decision when it comes to the education of their child. As far as my kids are concerned, I believe that they do need to learn to take tests. And also a bigger lesson that when you’re faced with a tough hurdle in life, you can’t just opt out.”

Christine Scuilli, whose son is at East Hampton Middle School, agrees that tests are part of life.

“It’s in society’s best interest to raise its children to learn how to try their best and take risks without feeling demoralized when family or personal expectations are not met,” she wrote in an email this week. “The ability to take assessments with clarity and focus, and without drama, even when the material is not entirely familiar, is a life skill. It is fantastic that the tests will be spaced apart this year to avoid the brain drain of all-day testing and ‘test-week’ panic. I believe if the tests are given they should be mandatory, as each opt-out undermines their value.” She added that test scores are most useful to New York State and national assessments of Common Core standards.

Opponents of the tests, including many teachers, focus less on the stress that testing causes students and more on the stress teachers and educators face due to the nature of high-stakes testing.

“While there have been changes [this year], the reality is as follows: The test-and-punish agenda continues and the best way to demand change is to continue to opt out of the flawed system,” Opt Out CNY, an affiliate of New York State Allies for Public Education, posted on its website.

Reinforcement for those who canvass against standardized testing is the growing number of colleges and universities around the country that have joined a “test-optional” list, meaning that perspective candidates can choose to not submit their scores on college entrance tests such as the ACT and SAT as part of their application. A 2015 U.S. News article lists prestigious liberal arts institutions such as Wesleyan University, Bowdoin College, Mid­dlebury College, Wake Forest Uni­versity, Colorado College, and George Washington University among those on that list.

Sue deLara, whose daughters attend the Amagansett School and East Hampton Middle School, said she took a different tactic regarding state tests.

“Last year, both my girls did not want to take the tests. However, it was not okay with me for them to have a few days off to do nothing,” Ms. deLara said. “I told them that if they felt so strongly about not taking the tests then they each had to write an in-depth report about the subject.”

Both girls completed their projects last spring, and this year, Ms. deLara posed the same challenge to her daughters. The younger of the two said she had already spoken to her teacher about not taking the test and would use the time instead to write her own episode of the television show “Cutthroat Kitchen.”

Ms. deLara’s older daughter, who is in seventh grade in East Hampton, considered her options for a while and finally announced this week, “I’ll just do the tests.”