Last week, leaders from NYS PTA met with the State Education Department to discuss student, parent, family and educator concerns with the NYS Regents exams – specifically the Biology and Earth Science exams.
We thank the Department for hearing the concerns of students, parents, families and educators. We will continue to work with the Department to confirm that the exams are reflective of standards, and support school districts to ensure that locally developed curriculum is aligned to the new standards.
These Regents exams were the first set offered that aligned to the new Next Generation Science Standards adopted in December 2016. The new standards are a major shift in curriculum and related assessments. While these changes were being implemented since adoption, the stress and difficulties that were experienced this year with the science exams can be tied to these shifts.
Ensuring that parent and family voices and concerns are heard is a priority of NYS PTA as we Measure our Mission for Every Child.