UFT Resolution on Assessment Related Paperwork and Data Collection
Jan 25, 2008 10:51 AM
WHEREAS, the New York City Department of Education's "accountability" policy has increased the number of tests and assessments administered to students in all grades and has also increased the amount of test related paperwork and teacher responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the data generated by these tests and assessments can be useful to teachers as a tool to enhance teaching and learning, the collection, collation and interpretation of this data can be time consuming and require specific skills, technology and resources often not available to teachers; and
WHEREAS, the UFT Task Force on High Stakes Assessment has issued a report that highlighted the improper use of test data for purposes other than diagnosis and instruction and the effect increased testing has had on day-to-day classroom instruction, and has recommended specific steps to address that situation; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the UFT calls upon the Department to eliminate repetitive paperwork by requiring only those tests and assessments that federal and state regulations mandate or, based on teacher input, support student achievement; be it further
RESOLVED, that the UFT calls upon the Department to provide time during the school day for the collection of useful data and related necessary paperwork as well as time for meaningful, ongoing, high quality professional development geared to an individual's level of expertise, on the interpretation and use of data and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the UFT calls upon the Department to provide access to all the necessary technology, resources, texts and other supports necessary to collect, interpret and use the data and, be it finally
RESOLVED, that given the primary responsibility of teachers is to teach, UFT chapters work with principals to: review scheduling as well as the resources and other supports available to teachers at the school; prioritize the tasks related to instruction data collection and paperwork that are truly necessary to ensure the highest levels of teaching and learning; and use this information to determine how teachers can best perform all their responsibilities over the course of the school day and year.
Passed at the Jan. 16, 2007 Delegate Assembly.
