(Long Island, NY) Last week, Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head) voted for legislation that will allow New York State educators to discuss the contents of mandated standardized assessments. Assembly Bill 7402 would prohibit school districts, BOCES or the State Education Department from requiring teachers, principals and superintendents to sign confidentiality agreements preventing them from discussing the contents of any grade three through eight ELA or math assessments.
“Teachers should have the ability to discuss the contents of mandated exams and assessments, as they would then have an opportunity to develop within their profession,” said Montesano. “The current agreement prohibits them from sharing their experience with their peers, which hinders their ability to improve based on past experience. I’m proud to have joined my colleagues in passing this legislation that puts educators first.”
Under current law, school faculty that grade required standardized tests and assessments are required to sign a confidentiality agreement mandated by the State Education Department. This negatively impacts the growth of educators as they are not able to discuss that which is in the assessment.
“In order to provide a beneficial change to our state’s educators, I am hopeful that our colleagues in the Senate take action on this legislation before this year’s Legislative Session comes to an end,” Montesano concluded.
