Success in advancing good faith

Originally published by Albany’s Times Union

Since the rollout of the Common Core across the state, opponents have criticized the state Education Department for, at least in their view, failing to provide teachers and parents with an appropriate number of released questions from the aligned grade 3-8 assessments, as well as the background to both understand the tests themselves and to help their children succeed.

First, the state didn't release enough information about the assessments. Then it was criticized for releasing the information too slowly.

According to a new report, however, the state has not only heard these criticisms, it has addressed them. It's time for opponents to recognize the essential good faith of the state Education Department and to engage in a constructive conversation aimed at ensuring that all children are being assessed on worthwhile, rigorous material.

A report released this week by High Achievement New York found that the state leads the nation in its test release and transparency practices. The numbers are worth examining. This year, New York has released 75 percent of the administered test questions and 100 percent of the open-ended non-multiple choice questions. To put that number in context, 17 out of the 25 states examined in the report released no questions at all in 2016. Of the eight that did release questions in 2016, only Texas released a higher percentage than New York. However, Texas does not plan to release a meaningful number of questions in 2017, while New York will continue and increase its commitment to transparency.

In terms of clarity, consistency and commitment to transparency, New York is setting the standard for major states around the country.

Increasing transparency is not simply the right thing to do; it is a smart way to help prepare students for successful 21st-century careers. Consider: For the first time, the state is allowing parents and teachers to view their students' non-multiple choice answers. This kind of transparency helps teachers gain a deeper, more individualized understanding of what students have learned and, just as important, what they have not.

Using that information, educators and parents can design stronger, more individualized, skill-specific classroom instruction and provide students tailored support. Teachers now have the information they need to address issues in the same school year, in every community across the state.

Of course, transparency comes at a cost — releasing questions requires taking those questions out of the pool for future exams. The state must then invest the time and resources to develop new questions and test materials.

But education policy makers are listening to the concerns of stakeholders and acting to address concerns.

Now is the time for opponents to do the same. Over the last two years, the state has largely seen the same parents in the same communities decide to opt their kids out of state assessments. This small but dedicated and vocal group of parents has raised questions about the test provider, the length of tests, and the state's lack of transparency, among other issues.

Well, the state has brought on a new test provider. Education leaders had more than 20 educators review each individual assessment question and remove unnecessary questions, helping create a shorter, more targeted test. And now, they have released the vast majority of the questions — leading the nation in the process.

For opponents to continue to protest, despite receiving nearly everything they have asked for, smacks of a bad faith effort and undermines the legitimacy of their arguments.

As difficult as it may be, it is time for opponents to accept that the state has made enormous strides on test transparency in a very short time, and to work with other stakeholders to help make sure the assessments themselves keep moving in the right direction.