ABANY, N.Y. (AP) _ State Education Commissioner John King has told superintendents that some standardized tests in New York public schools will be eliminated.
His surprising announcement cites ``a variety of pressures'' that may have hurt instruction. The move comes after years of criticism from teachers, parents and other detractors, some of whom say it still falls short.
King says in a letter sent Thursday that first target will be an eighth-grade math test, which comes at the same time as a federally required standardized test in math. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter.
King says the Board of Regents is considering eliminating that test and others for other grades. Some tests, however, are required by the federal government. The letter says grants will be provided to help school districts reduce local standardized tests.
WBFO News has reached out to the Buffalo Public School District for reaction.
Buffalo Schools superintendent Dr. Pamela Brown issued the following statement:
"Students taking Algebra have already demonstrated the prerequisite skills that the 8th-grade math curriculum encompasses. Last year, approximately 23%, or 546 of our eighth grade students took both tests. Theoretically, I believe Commissioner King and the Board of Regents recognize that students taking Algebra are likely to pass the Grade 8 Math exam and therefore it can be eliminated for that group. I see this as a forward thinking move by the Regents and Commissioner King, and believe that it is in the best interest of the students who would be affected by the change," said Brown.