EdVANTAGE Blog

Merryl Tisch, the recently elected leader of the Board of Regents, amplified her criticisms of state assessments in an interview with the Buffalo News.

The paper wrote,

The new chancellor of the state Board of Regents said Albany’s student assessment tests are too easy and give a misleadingly optimistic view of students’ prospects of success in college or at work.

Merryl H. Tisch said she would push for tests that are more comprehensive and less predictable, and for “a proficiency level that is far more revealing.”

Asked point-blank if she felt state tests were too easy, she responded “In my heart of hearts, I honestly believe that.”

Dr. Tisch also stressed that she believes state education reform efforts have been on target and gains in test results refelct real progress.

In an earlier post, we note that the state confronts several mileposts with its testing system that will provoke reconsideration of key issues in any event.

First, SED has issued a request for proposals from vendors to design the next round of grades 3 through 8 tests, to start in 2010.

Second, pursuant to a 2007 state law, SED and the Regents have begun updating state learning standards, beginning with English Language Arts. That work is behind schedule, but as new standards are adopted, all state assessments will need to be revised accordingly.