The Science Teachers Association of NYS Has Taken a Position on Students Who Fail to Meet the Laboratory Requirement and Their Inclusion in the Teacher's SLO Rating

Liverpool, NY, June 03, 2013 --(PR.com)-- NYSED Deputy Commissioner for the Office of P-12 Education, Ken Slentz, recently responded to an inquiry from NYSUT concerning a student who does not qualify to sit for a Regents exam in the sciences because of failing to meet the minimum number of required lab hours. Mr. Slentz stated that, "... the student would receive a 0 and would not meet the target set forth in the SLO. This score would then need to be factored into the teacher’s final summative SLO rating. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that all students meet lab requirements so that they are able to sit for the Regents exam."

Brian Vorwald, STANYS President, has stated that "It is unreasonable for a teacher to be held accountable for a student's delinquency in submitting satisfactory lab reports reflecting at least 1200 minutes of hands-on lab activities. Classroom teachers, guidance counselors, and school administrators take measures to provide all students the maximum potential for satisfying this requirement. Students who are deficient in satisfactory written laboratory reports have reached this situation despite the best efforts of their teachers. Factors that are completely beyond the sphere of influence of classroom teachers are responsible for students who do not qualify to take a Regents exam in the sciences. It is unconscionable for teachers to bear the responsibility of ensuring that all of their students meet the laboratory requirement. This will unfairly penalize teachers and create significant equity issues throughout NY State. Teachers can provide all of the support necessary for their students to meet the lab requirement, but can not guarantee that all students will take ownership for their own academic responsibility to complete and submit satisfactory written lab reports that will permit them to sit for the Regents exam."

In summary, STANYS takes the position that students who fail to meet the laboratory requirement should not have their Regents exam grade of zero factored into the teacher's final summative SLO rating.

For more information contact Brian Vorwald, STANYS President bvorw@aol.com 631-689-9833