Coming on the heels of an announcement in November that the New York State Board of Regents was considering requiring four-hour reading tests for 3rd graders, I wrote a letter to Merryl Tisch, Chancellor of the Board of Regents, to express my concerns in regard to recent requirements issued by the New York State Board of Regents. In addition to the proposed four- hour testing for children in grades 3-8 (which has now been settled on at three hours, up from last year’s 2 ½-hour tests), I also expressed my concerns over a measure that now requires all students, even special education students, to obtain a Regents diploma in order to graduate.

Last month, I met with a middle school teacher from my district who is deeply concerned about a Board of Regents requirement that ALL students, including those with severe learning disabilities, to obtain a Regents diploma in order to graduate high school. Most of the students in this teacher’s class read on a kindergarten or first grade level; therefore, their lessons focus on life skills, such as counting money. It’s unfathomable that these students could even take, let alone pass, all the Regents exams necessary to graduate. Yet, instead of focusing on teaching her students life skills, this teacher must spend important educational time giving her students Regents exams in subjects such as algebra and global studies.

Furthermore, I believe that this requirement will result in more students simply dropping out of school, their thought being, “What’s the point of sticking it out 13 years, unable to obtain the required score on one or two Regents exams, and end up with nothing?”

We wouldn’t expect a student with a physical disability to run a mile, so how can we expect a student with a severe learning disability to not only take but pass the Regents? In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense.

In regard to the proposed new testing schedule for elementary and middle-school students, I wonder why such lengthy tests are necessary. Can a student’s proficiency in reading not be determined in a two-hour test? Requiring a 7-year-old to focus on reading and answering questions for several hours is simply unrealistic.

Earlier this week, I met with the Commissioner of Education, Dr. John King, at a meeting organized by Senator Joe Griffo. While the meeting focused on the need for revisions to the school aid formula, I did take a moment to talk to the Commissioner about special education students being mandated to pass the Regents.

As the 2012 session begins in January, I will continue to urge the Commissioner and the Board of Regents to reconsider its unrealistic mandates, especially the one that requires even special education students to receive a Regents diploma.

As always, I welcome your questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my district office, 15 Bridge St., West Carthage, call me at (315) 493-3909, or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.