Teacher group says no to NECAP as grad requirement

The Rhode Island Teachers Advisory Council has recommended to the Board of Education that it halt its high stakes test graduation requirement policy.

“Assessments, such as NECAP, should not be used as a graduation requirement because such assessments have not been proven valid and reliable for high stakes purposes such as promotion and graduation decisions,” the Council said in a new report. “Research has also shown that these tests may narrow curriculum, and limit future educational opportunities, particularly for poor and minority students as well as English Language Learners and students with disabilities.”

The report says the NECAP test should not be used as a graduation requirement, and that its replacement – the PARCC – not be used either.

The group was created by the legislature last year to improve communications between public school teachers and the state Board of Education.

The NECAPS and high stakes testing have been a scorching political hot potato in Rhode Island for more than a year. Teachers have long been opposed and last year Tom Sgouros wrote a blistering critique of the NECAP tests ability to measure individual performance. The Providence Student Union gave voice to student concerns and their Take the Test action showed a wide swath of politically-engaged adults how difficult the test can be. The legislature is considering weighing in on high stakes testing this session.

Through it all the Board of Education has declined to address the issue, even being chided by a judge for deliberating a request by the ACLU to discuss the matter in public.

The Board meets tonight and is not expected to have a formal debate on NECAPs in particular or high stakes tests in general.