Some standardized tests in New York public schools will be eliminated, state education Commissioner John R. King told superintendents last week in a letter that cites “a variety of pressures” that may have hurt instruction.
The first target will be an 8th grade math test, which comes at the same time as a federally required test in math. The immediate effort also looks at reducing tests for English-language learners and for disabled students.
The move comes after an outcry over testing and teacher evaluations linked to the results, which peaked when Mr. King was shouted down by critics at a forum last month. That confrontation led to calls for his resignation.
