Board works to polish testing opt-out policy

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. >> The school board continues to refine a policy aimed at ensuring that students who opt out of taking standardized tests will not be forced to “sit and stare” as a consequence.

The issue was discussed for nearly 40 minutes during Tuesday’s board meeting, with much of the debate focusing on whether students should be able to bring their own books to read while other students take the state exams.

“The last thing we want is to create work for our teachers beyond what they already do, but one of my ... concerns is the experience that the individual child is going through as they either take the test or they don’t,” said board member James Mooney.

The board approved a policy on March 21 that prohibits “academic punishments” for opt-out students and requires teachers to provide an activity for them.

“The work will be academically relevant, beneficial and not of a punitive nature,” the policy states.

Mooney said the policy should clarify whether students can choose a book to read as a way to occupy time while others are tested.

“If the child brings something to read, they should be able to read,” he said. “So if the kid doesn’t have a book, give them the [teacher-designated] packet.”

School district Superintendent Seth Turner did not take a position but assured board members that opt-out students would not be left without something to do during testing.

“Neither myself or any administrator in this district would support what’s been called ‘sit and stare,’” Turner said. “... We would not be supportive of any

type of initiative likeAs that.”

The request to add a sentence to the policy seemed to frustrate some board members who had considered the issue settled.

“I have an opinion, a very strong one, that this is ridiculous that we’re even having a discussion on this topic,” said Trustee Damion Ferraro.

Some board members suggested having a the policy state that students can bring books after their parents consult with teachers. Administrators advised against that revision, however, because some students don’t make their opt-out intention known until the day of the test.

Board members declined to vote on the book proposal after Mooney determined there wasn’t clear support for it.