CLEVELAND - A new state exam designed to measure reading, math and writing skills of the youngest schoolchildren wastes classroom time, the leader of a teachers' union said.
School districts now are required under state law to give first- and second-grade children the tests before the end of the school year. A kindergarten assessment is to begin next year.
Schools that do not show adequate yearly progress under federal regulations must use the state-designed test, while districts meeting the standards may choose their own testing method.
We've told our people not to do it
Cleveland Teachers Union President Richard DeColibus said.
The tests will cost teachers five to eight instructional days because some of the hourlong tests would be administered individually to students, he said.
To a teacher instructional time is like gold. We simply refuse to give up that instructional time he said.
Whatever the state requires
we will comply with
she said.
The diagnostic assessments were designed to determine which children need extra help.
17
Archives
The Associated Press
