2015-K558

Urging New York State Congressional delegation to support efforts to reduce the annual testing mandate imposed by No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

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2015-K558


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging New York State Congressional delegation to
support efforts to reduce the annual testing mandate imposed by "No
Child Left Behind Act of 2001" and to support H.R. 452, the "Student
Testing Improvement and Accountability Act"

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to urge the New York
State Congressional delegation to support efforts to reduce federally
mandated standardized tests by supporting H.R. 452, the "Student Testing
Improvement and Accountability Act"; and
WHEREAS, The "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001" which amended the
Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1965 placed an increased emphasis
on standardized tests, causing students to be tested in English &
Language Arts and Mathematics annually in grades 3-8; and
WHEREAS, This testing mandate has failed to increase student achieve-
ment, rather causing valuable instruction time to be lost to test prepa-
ration; and
WHEREAS, A reduction in testing time and frequency will allow for more
classroom time to be focused on one-on-one instruction and the return of
a pupil centered curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Grade span testing will provide adequate opportunity to
assess student progress while allowing for genuine and appropriate
assessments that can be used to tailor instruction and focus on those
students most in need; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 452, the "Student Testing Improvement and Accountability
Act" strikes an appropriate balance between standardized testing and
classroom instruction time by returning to grade span testing; and
WHEREAS, The United States Senate and House of Representatives have
been making efforts towards reauthorizing the "Elementary and Secondary
Schools Act of 1965" with an emphasis on increased flexibility for the
States; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Chris Gibson (R-NY) has introduced H.R. 452,
known as the "Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act"; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 452 strikes an appropriate balance between assessing
student progress and allowing for increased classroom time to be spent
on learning and student instruction; and
WHEREAS, A reduction in federally mandated testing is an essential
part of increasing flexibility to the States to administer their educa-
tion systems; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
urge the New York State Congressional delegation to support and enact
legislation that would reduce standardized testing and thus increase the
number of classroom hours spent on one-on-one instruction and enable
States like New York to administer appropriate assessments to their
students in each grade span level; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the New York State Congressional delegation.

actions

  • 21 / May / 2015
    • REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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