Assemblyman Santabarbara announced that a bill he is a sponsor of in the New York State Assembly to eliminate the use of state tests for teacher evaluations has again been passed in the State Assembly and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk. The bill was passed last year in the State Assembly; however, it was never taken up in the Senate.

“This is something I’ve been fighting for alongside teachers, parents, and students,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “I’m pleased to see we are taking action in both the Assembly and the State Senate this year to strengthen public education.”

The bill seeks to address the concerns of both parents and educators. The Assembly legislation eliminates the mandate completely and allows local school districts and teachers to craft a more effective evaluation system. The bill would also prohibit grades 3-through-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and math tests from being included on a student’s permanent record. The legislation also prohibits ELA or math state assessments recorded in grades three through eight from being included on a student's permanent. Local school districts know more about their schools than state bureaucrats and can construct evaluation systems which better suit their students and teachers, noted Santabarbara.

"It’s critical that we remain committed to strengthening our public education system,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “That can only happen when we give the dedicated teachers working in public education the freedom to do what they do best, help our children succeed. This bill makes common-sense reforms that recognize how students learn in a variety of ways. I see it with my 15 year old daughter, Marianna, and my son, Michael, who lives with autism.” Santabarbara added. “As the child of immigrants, I couldn’t speak English until I was in first grade. Public education and dedicated teachers at Hamilton Elementary School in the City of Schenectady made a difference in my life and they continue to make a difference for families in our community today.”