More than 100 Baldwin students refuse latest state exams

Elementary and middle school students across New York are wrapping up their second three-day state assessment of the spring this week, and the tests have been widely criticized by educators and parents alike.

With the new Common Core State Standards, put into place last year, came new assessments for students in third through eighth grades in English Language Arts and math. Last year, about 30 percent of students statewide passed the exams, which moved many in the education community to call them unfair.

One hundred thirteen Baldwin students refused to take the ELA tests, which were administered early last month. The math exams were scheduled to begin on Wednesday and end on Friday. Superintendent James Scannell said he expected a similar number of “opt-outs” this week — possibly a few more — but the number was not available as the Herald went to press on Monday.

In Baldwin, like many other districts on Long Island, students who refuse the assessments are given the option to read a book and are moved to a separate room so they do not distract the students taking the tests.

Scannell said that the district aims to fulfill its responsibilities to the state, but also looks to do right by its students. “As an agent of the state, it is our obligation to expect that students are going to take the tests,” he said, “because it’s part of how we figure out what kids know and don’t know. If a student does refuse to take the test, we do make every effort to operate in what we feel is the best interest of the student.”

Each of the district’s elementary and middle schools have rooms designated for students who opt out of the tests. The rooms are proctored, and silent reading is permitted. “It’s a testing room, technically,” Scannell said. “Even though it’s filled with kids who aren’t taking the test.”

Matthew Perez, a fifth-grader at Plaza Elementary School, and his sister Elizabeth, a seventh-grader at Baldwin Middle School, both refused to take the ELA and math assessments. Matthew said he was taken to his school’s library during testing periods, and Elizabeth said she sat in her school’s cafeteria. Both said they liked being taken out of the testing rooms.