NJ students may spend too much time on testing: Report

The time New Jersey students spend in tests may interfere with instructional time if not carefully monitored, according to an interim report by a state commission released today.

The interim report comes on the heels of protests from parents and educators who say they are fed-up with high-stakes testing and are determined to pull their kids out of future assessments.

New Jersey students' test time may be interfering with instructional time if not carefully monitored, according to an interim report by a state commission released today.

The Study Commission on the Use of Student Assessments in New Jersey found that the number of tests students take, both locally and at the state level, could be diminishing the student experience if not regularly reviewed for redundancy and quality. The report comes on the heels of protests from educators who say they are fed-up with high-stakes testing and parents who say they are determined to pull their kids out of future assessments.

Some have expressed concern that PARCC, a new computerized test administered to students in grades 3 through 12, is fostering an educational culture where instructors are focused only on preparing students for the test. Students' performance on the tests will be used to evaluate part of teachers' performance.

NJ parents, teachers urge state to abandon PARCC

"(Students) definitely don't need to be tested over and over again," said John Napolitani, president of the Asbury Park Education Association. "You don't need a nine-member commission to figure that out."

Napolitani said the required testing is "stressful" for teachers and that state officials should have considered this long before the commission conducted this study.

He said his own children, ages 11 and 13, have been constantly asking him to pull them out of PARCC testing.



"Parents agree there is too much testing, but they want less standardized testing, not less testing by teachers, who know better than anyone how to gauge the progress of their students," NJEA spokesman Steve Wollmer said.

The nine-member commission, which is charged with studying issues and testing in public schools, reviewed public perceptions on the over-testing of students with a focus on the efficiency of testing.

The commission recommended in its report that every district review the tests and quizzes being given to students and notify parents annually of the assessments their child takes.

Parents push back against PARCC

The commission also said the state Department of Education should lead efforts to review federal and state required tests such as the PARCC and the National Assessment of Education Progress to ensure they can be integrated with regular instruction.

"The New Jersey Department of Education should conduct a study to learn more about assessment practices of local districts and schools, including the impact on instructional and student learning time," according to the report.

Mike Yaple, a spokesman for the state Department of Education, did not immediately return a call for comment on Friday.

GIVE YOUR INPUT

The Study Commission on the Use of Student Assessments in New Jersey will hold three sessions to listen to testimony from the public on PARCC and standardized testing. The session to be held in the Shore area is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at Jackson Liberty High School auditorium, 125 N. Hope Chapel Rd., Jackson.

Nicquel Terry; nterry@app.com; 732-643-4023