LI students should opt in to state testing

As this year's state budget drama drags on, school funding remains a sticking point and Long Island's school districts still don't know what their budgets will look like. Unknowns persist in our classrooms as well, as the continuing push among parents to opt out of statewide testing keeps us in the dark about how well our children are learning.

Parents and school administrators can change that.

Last year, more than a third of Long Island students eligible to take the English Language Arts and math exams offered to grades 3-8 opted out of the tests. In more than two dozen districts of various types, ranging from Middle Country and Massapequa to Bellmore and Center Moriches, the opt-out rate for ELA tests exceeded 50%. 

With this year's state tests beginning next week, this is the moment when administrators and faculty across the region should encourage their students in grades 3-8 to take the exams and when parents should let their children do so. If all students took the ELA and math exams, state officials would have a legitimate way to compare school performance, to understand districts' strengths and weaknesses, and to put more attention where it's needed. Right now, they can't do that.

Nearly a decade ago, the opt-out movement boomed on Long Island, in part out of concern about efforts to tie the tests to teacher evaluations. Those concerns no longer exist. But lingering anti-test sentiment only hurts students, as schools are unable to diagnose problems or see hidden talents that have been missed. It hurts teachers, who might need more professional development or have particular skills that have gone unnoticed. And it hurts the reputation of school districts, which taxpayers fund and whose quality affects the value of what's often their biggest asset.

Standardized tests don't have to be the only measure — or even the most significant measure — of student performance. But they have to be a factor. That doesn't mean students and teachers should spend all their time preparing for them. That's unnecessary and unhelpful. Nor should the tests be an arduous, anxiety-ridden activity. The wonder of learning should not be diminished by test prep.

This year, there's an additional wrinkle. The state is widening its use of computer-based testing; fifth and eighth grade students will take the tests digitally, part of a multiyear transition. Digital testing ultimately will adapt to student responses and could provide more nuanced information about student performance. It is important for school districts to be ready for the transition.

Reducing opt-out rates requires buy-in — from the state, districts, schools, parents and students. The state should consider tying school funding to test-taking rates. Local superintendents, principals and school board trustees should prioritize taking the test. Just as classrooms and individual students are applauded for good behavior, high attendance or strong performance, perhaps those with high test-taking rates could have similar rewards.

It's time to opt in.