https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/04/03/autistic-boy-shows-up-for-standardized-test-with-his-service-dog-heres-what-happened-next/
Strauss, Valerie. "Autistic Boy Shows up for Test with His Service Dog. Here's What Happened Next." Washingonpost.com. 3 Apr. 2016. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

Standardized testing, whether you approve or disapprove of it has been questioned more and more when it comes to its actual value. But perhaps even more serious than that are cases where the system becomes flat out unethical, specifically when it comes to children with disabilities. Such is the case with the boy talked about in this article. He's autistic, and has a service dog. Unfortunately, the dog was not allowed to be there when he took the test, leaving the boy in tears and ultimately unable to take the test at all. This isn't the only time things like this have happened either. One of the most tragic and infuriating examples is when the mother of a child in a morphine-induced coma, who unfortunately passed away in 2014, had to go out of her way to convince the state that her son was unable to take the test. These children and other children like them have been denied the accommodations that they need in order to take the test.

If you ask me, this has to stop. I understand that the rules are in place to prevent the student from cheating, but sometimes exceptions need to be made. Is following the rules to a T really worth it if it puts these children and their families in so much grief? I think not! At this point, this is just cruel! Why make these children and families who already face challenges suffer even more? Shouldn't it go without saying that it's impossible to take a standardized test while in a coma?! This is one of those issues that I get really passionate about if you couldn't tell!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/nyregion/big-question-on-new-york-state-tests-how-many-will-opt-out.html?_r=0

Harris, Elizabeth A. "Big Question on New York State Tests: How Many Will Opt Out?" Nytimes.com. 5 Apr. 2016. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.


Despite all of the problems with the testing, there have recently been some much needed modifications. There is no longer a time limit, and the results no longer affect the job ratings of teachers. However, many people are choosing to opt out, and not make their children take the test. In fact, last year, twenty percent of the students in New York opted out! Some argue that persuading people to out of the test is like teaching kids that it's ok not to do their work, and some think it's a good way to see how students are doing. But more and more people seem to be opting out.

A lot of the things people argue about these tests are debatable and up for discussion. For example: we're still uncertain whether or not these tests are good ways to see what a student has learned. The issue is that it's not that simple. Not every child learns the same way, and some can learn better in some environments than in others. If you ask me, this is precisely why the tests are not a good way to track progress. The different ways that students learn are not taken into consideration, instead assuming that all students learn the same way, which of course they don't.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/nyregion/opt-out-pressuresopen-rift-between-new-york-education-officials.html?action=click&contentCollection=N.Y.%20%2F%20Region&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article

Taylor, Kate. "Teachers Are Warned About Criticizing New York State Tests." Nytimes.com. 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

It seems that education officials have been sympathetic to opposers of the tests, having shortened them and gotten rid of the time limit. The chancellor of the board of regents, Betty A. Rosa, has even said that she would opt out if her children were of testing age. However, in New York City, this is not the case. In District 15 in Brooklyn, which had the most test refusals in the city last year, superintendent Anita Skop has said that if an educator encourages opting out, that qualifies as a political act, and as public employees, educators are unable to make political statements. The consequences of doing so have not been specified, but many teachers and principals have chosen to remain neutral for fear of losing their jobs. Many schools have been told by officials that they should not try to persuade people to opt out.

I understand that the state wants the testing to continue, and their intentions are probably good, but I think this is going too far. It's not right to try to stop educators from speaking their minds on the subject, especially since they and their students are the ones affected by this whole thing to begin with! Teachers and principals shouldn't have to worry about losing their jobs simply for criticizing the tests. I think that officials know that opposers of the tests could win this battle, and are trying to stop them. Hopefully we will come out on top and the state tests will some day be a thing of the past.