State Education Leaders Seek Waiver To Hold Testing Requirements

ALBANY – Some education leaders in New York State are seeking to a waiver to opt students out of testing requirements this spring.

The New York State Education Department drafted federal waiver requests this week.

If the state received the requested waivers from the United States Department of Education, there would be no impact on federal funding.

The waivers would allow high school and third through eighth grade student to opt out of scandalized testing requirements.

While some may argue that state assessments are necessary to make sure students are ready for the next grade, many doesn’t believe they would provide reliable data this year because of virtual learning and other pandemic related changes.

The state Education Department is accepting public comments on the drafted waiver requests through Friday.

The public can make comments on the idea through Friday at nysed.gov.