Relates to providing that standardized test scores shall not be included on a student's permanent record

1 Co-sponsor

• Terrence P. Murphy

BILL NUMBER:S5449

Title of bill

An act to amend subpart B of part A of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014 amending the education law relating to providing that standardized test scores shall not be included on a student's permanent record, in relation to making such provisions permanent

Purpose

This bill removes the sunset date on the provision which prohibits recording standardized test scores on a student's permanent record.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 removes the sunset date of December 31, 2018 on the provision which prohibits standardized test scores from being included on a student's permanent record.

Section 2 sets an immediate effective date.

Justification

As part of the 2014-15 State Budget, a provision was enacted to prohibit the inclusion of standardized test scores on a student's permanent record until December 31, 2018. This bill removes the sunset date to assure parents and students that standardized tests are not part of a student's permanent record.

While standardized tests can serve a purpose for measuring growth and assessing performance, a student's record should reflect their body of work, not a singular score on a standardized test.

By removing the test scores from a student's permanent record, it should also remove any stigma or pressure relating to the test. A "one size fits all" test should not define a student and it should be recognized that some students perform well on standardized tests and others do not. It serves no significant purpose to have annual standardized test results follow a student from year to year on their permanent record.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

Immediately