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| Test scores underscore need to resolve CFE Sept. 21, 2006 ALBANY, N.Y. September 21, 2006 – Results of the first year of required testing in grades 3-8 contain few surprises, but do underscore the urgency with which state leaders must act to resolve the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, the 575,000-member New York State United Teachers said today. "Those students with the greatest needs — and who are furthest from the state standards — are largely found in those school districts that have historically been shortchanged by a dysfunctional education funding formula," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "Full funding of a statewide solution to CFE must be the state's No. 1 priority going into the next legislative session," he added. NYSUT First Vice President Maria Neira commended teachers on the work they did in the first year of statewide testing under the No Child Left Behind legislation, noting that more than 3.5 million tests were administered and graded by 3-8 teachers across the state. "This was a heavy lift, and teachers did a terrific job," Neira said. "Teachers helped students — as well as their parents — get comfortable with the new tests; administered them and scored them with great professionalism. They really rose to the occasion." Neira noted the test results "are a continuation of what we've seen in the past, with no major surprises." Neira said students in the early grades are generally performing well, in part because of the extra attention paid to lowering class size, aligning the curriculum to the state standards and providing teachers with ongoing professional development. "We are very concerned about the drop-off in student performance beginning in sixth grade. We now need to identify what will work in the middle grades and provide the appropriate support and resources to students and teachers," Neira said. NYSUT represents 575,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO. -30- |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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