The New York State Education Department announced earlier today that it is seeking public comment on draft waivers they plan to submit to the U.S. Department of Education to cancel state assessments this spring and some related accountability calculations due to the “ongoing pandemic.”
“Throughout the pandemic the Board’s priority has been the physical and mental health, safety, and well-being of the children and adults in our schools,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “In light of the ongoing pandemic, we have determined that the Spring 2021 state assessments cannot be safely, equitably and fairly administered to students in schools across the state and, therefore, are seeking these waivers.”
Comments on the draft waivers may be e-mailed to ESSAComments@nysed.gov with “ESSA Comments from (sender/organization name)” in the subject line. Comments will be accepted through February 5, 2021.
In addition, stakeholders are encouraged to fill out a brief survey regarding the 2020-21 school year student assessment and school accountability processes. As part of the survey, teachers, staff, parents, community members and others can identify which state assessments they believe should or should not be administered this spring.
Due to the pandemic, the Board of Regents had canceled last year’s Grades 3-8 Math and ELA exams, and the June 2020, August 2020 and January 2021 Regents Exams.
The East Greenbush Central School District will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Resources:
- Proposed Federal Waivers for State Assessments and Accountability Requirements Now Available for Public Comment (NYS Education Department)
- Full Text of Proposed Waiver Requests
- Stakeholder Survey