NY State Regent to Address Testing Issues Wednesday in Port Washington

New York State Board of Education Regent Roger Tilles will discuss the issue of test to evaluation, student learning and teaching performance Wednesday at the Port Washington Library. 

Entitled "Testing, Testing ... It's a Subject For Serious Discussion," the event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset. Audience questions will be welcome at the conclusion of the program which begins at 7 p.m.

The subject of whether to test, how to test and if tests can ever fairly and accurately evaluate a student’s learning has been a predominant topic throughout the nation since the Obama administration issued its Race to the Top challenge for states to improve public education by rewarding and retaining effective teachers and principals, according to the LWV.

In April of 20ll the New York State Board of Regents adopted regulations for a teacher and principal performance evaluation system. Since then, 20-40 percent of student evaluation is linked to student standardized test scores, according to a LWV press release.

Elected to the NYS Board of Regents in 2005, Tilles is now his second five-year term representing Long Island. He is chair the board’s Cultural Education Committee, which oversees libraries, museums, public television and the NYS Museum. Tilles earned his law degree in Michigan, where he served on the state’s education board, taught education law at three of the state’s universities and was director of law and legislation for Michigan’s education department. He continues to serve on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and is a parent of two children who attended local Long Island public schools.

The Port Washington Library is located at One Library Drive off Main Street.

For additional information, call 883-0698 or e-mail jane.thomas107@gmail.com. Coffee and dessert will be served.