PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Education officials from the federal, state and district levels have revealed the differing sides in the argument about whether schools should hold standardized testing as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle said schools need to focus on meeting students’ academic and emotional needs following this year of inconsistent learning.
“I feel like I have to yell this to people every day. We’re in a pandemic!" Pringle exclaimed.
"Our students already are suffering through so much loss and trauma and stress for them to be forced to take a standardized test. Honestly, it borders on malpractice.”
Related
Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Noe Ortega says standardized tests have long been a source of national discourse.
"We really do need to know what has been lost, but also what has been gained, right?" Ortega argued.
"There may be circumstances where things have been working, and I think this is how we begin to find out.”
School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite said it’s important to understand and know where children are academically.
“It’s also equally important for parents to know they have the ability to opt out of those, and can do so by contacting their schools principal or sending me an email," Hite said.