gd THE SENATE, ‘own { it STATE OF NEW YORE: sou ac ne COMMUTE sowtguoener June 9, 2015 ‘Sua rn oa as Dr. Merry Tisch aowereauearon Chancellor leak corer [New York State Education Department aon Board of Regents Leos ebans.oN ON £9 Washing Avenue ‘movxenincrs Albany, NY 12234 Dear Chancellor Tisch: | write to you on behalf ofthe hundreds of educators, parents and students I represent who have contacted me to share their input on forthcoming changes to aspects of the evaluation process for teachers in New York State and other educational issues ‘As you are well aware, the recently passed state budget included language that directed the State Education Department to gamer feedback from stakeholders asa new teacher evaluation system is developed. Throughout the past several weeks, I've listened io suggestions and concerns—on teacher evaluations and the current state of public education as a whole from dedicated teaching professionals, parents and others who are invested in the future of public education, A summary oftheir feedback is as follows: ‘+ With regard to independent evaluators, many have expressed thatthe se of independent ‘evaluators may result in inaccurate observations, due to ihe individual having litle ‘experience or contact with the school, teacher or classroom setting. In addition, other ‘concerns have been raised about the logistical challenges—especially fr the rural districts | represent—and costs schoo! dstriets could incur by being required to wtilize independent evaluators; ‘+ While most agree a place for standardized testing in cursiculum exists, many educators and parents continue to be concerned about the possibly of teacher effectiveness being bbased too heavily on test scores, with too much emphasis being placed on testing and ‘not on classroom performance; ‘+ In addition, many fee! that the seemingly ever-increasing volume of standardized tests do not improve educational quality. Many believe that New York State should work with the federal government to reduce the testing burden and develop a solution that limits the ‘number of federally mandated tests students are required to take; wens we arniinapertcor °+ With further regard to standardized tests, teachers I represent have expressed that while the skills required to answer questions and problems on tests are appropriate, the way in ‘which questions are worded and the analytical reasoning required to answer questions are above the grade level of the student taking the test; ‘+ Many ofthe educators I represent raised deep concers about the “opt-out” movement, and say there seems to be no fair way to assess teachers if they all have varying Percentages of students taking the test; ‘+ Many teachers, parents and students feel thatthe answers fo tests should be made available publicly soon after the testi administered much like the Regents Examinations—which would give students an opportunity to improve and also ensure those who draft the tess are held accountable. In addition, many feel that ifthe test results were released, it would give teachers an opporturity improve their instruction; and ‘Related to the aforementioned points, many expressed tke Common Core roll out continues to be problematic and needs to be addressed in more detail. Educators have expressed that in addition to curriculum being too focused on standardized testing, they also need additional resources and support to successfully implement Common Core standards {too share the views expressed by the concerned educators, parents and students who have contacted me, That's why I pushed so hard against the Governcr's more stringent plans to reform public education and worked to ensure that the professional educators tthe State Education Department and the Board of Regents wore closely irvolved in having the final say on changes. (Our students deserve a quality education so they ae prepared for the future, As you continue t0 weigh suggestions related to changes to teacher evaluations and work to improve the quality of public education in New York State, I respectfully request that you take the concems expressed ~by-tigse I represent in mind. Thank you for your consideration and please contact me should you me any questions sin cfely, — SithePhinlas Patty Ritchie State Sena'or PARssve