Ossining Gives Parents Opt-In Choice For Standardized Tests

OSSINING, NY — Though New York asked the feds to waive state standardized reading and math tests for a second year due to the coronavirus, President Joe Biden's new administration is requiring they be administered to students in grades 3-8.

While allowing states to be flexible, federal officials said standardized tests are part of the way educators and parents can measure student learning, and students were supposed to be learning even during the pandemic.

Ossining educators said the policy was disruptive and misguided under the current circumstances.

"However, we will fulfill our mandate by offering the assessments to any parent who chooses to participate," Superintendent Raymond Sanchez said in a letter to parents. "I want to take this opportunity to share my appreciation to the NYS Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa and the NYS Board of Regents for seeking a federal waiver to forgo mandated testing for 2020-21."

Parents who wish to have their children participate in this year’s in-person administration of the state assessments must let their building principal know by April 7.

The test schedule is:

Information about the Regents tests will be released later, Sanchez said.