I have urged Commissioner Mills and the Board of Regents to revisit
the “one-size-fits-all” high-stakes-testing-in-five-subjects rule
for English Language Learners and students in vocational programs,
and I am fully supportive of two key and related bills:
English Language Learners (ELL)
One bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Peter Rivera and already approved
by the Education Committee, would waive the requirement of passing
the English language arts Regents examination for ELLs in order
for them to be awarded their high school diploma. This legislation
would create a structure for ELLs who fulfill all other requirements
for a local high school diploma and who, in addition, pass a Regents
competency exam in their native language plus an English proficiency
exam, to get their diplomas and move on.
Because it takes several years for recent immigrants, already
in high school and approaching graduation, to develop full proficiency
in English, this is a needed and very reasonable solution. A recent
immigrant could be gifted in math, science, history or other subjects,
but because he or she is not fluent enough in English, he or she
will not be permitted to graduate high school and go to college
This is a waste of potential. How many of us, even if ‘A’ students,
could have moved, at age 16, to China or Pakistan and passed an
intensive exam in those languages just a short time later?
Vocational High Schools
A second bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Roger Green, would create
a fair and balanced academic and technical approach for vocational
high school students, who under current regulations are required
to attain both a high level of academic achievement and degree
requirements evidencing mastery of their trade. The bill accepts
the need for students to pass Regents-level examinations in the
core subjects of English and mathematics, while allowing them
to meet graduation eligibility requirements by fulfilling the
prerequisites of their career education program.
It is both ironic and absurd to require the same academic credentials
of students pursuing vocational careers, who do not necessarily
plan to attend college, on top of satisfying degree requirements
in their trade. Yes, students in vocational careers should take
and pass the English and math Regents exams, but the Regents have
actually rendered the standards for vocational high schools higher
than those for Bronx Science! New York’s vocational schools are
an economic life-support for our industries and can lead to very
lucrative careers. Requiring tests for the tests’ sake is foolish
and will help destroy these schools and drive thousands of students
to drop out.
The Regents and the Commissioner have overreached in their laudable
yet overzealous implementation of test-based standards, and these
two bills are an effort to bring reason and reality into the system
so as to not senselessly compromise educational futures and careers
of capable young men and women. #
Assemblyman
Sanders is Chairman of the Education Committee, NYS Assembly.
Contact at sanders@assembly.state.ny.us or 212-979-9696.
[Education
Update is beginning a series on vocational schools in September.]
