By MATT LINDSEY

NORWOOD -- Fewer students opted out of state tests this year at Norwood-Norfolk Central, possibly due to a reduction of the number of testing days.

“I believe it's had a positive impact,” said Jamie Cruikshank, Norwood-Norfolk Central School superintendent. “The exams are still long, but we're experiencing less students opting out of the exam this year - only 7.31 percent opted out of the ELA exam.”

A recent state-wide survey said nearly three-quarters of school board members responding to a recent online poll believe the reduction in the number of testing days for English language arts (ELA) and math exams is positive for school districts.

The poll was administered by the New York State School Boards Association.

“A shorter exam may be thought to be easier, but I believe it's still rigorous,” Cruikshank said.

“It may be easier in the lens of student fatigue,” he added. “Three days is too long and I believe student scores were negatively impacted by their fatigue.”

The superintendent says a test should measure what a child knows, not their stamina.

“At our middle level, students took the exams on computers for the first time (schools had a choice of Computer Based Testing or paper),” Cruikshank said. “I believe the CBT model probably had an impact, too. CBT appeared to be easier on the teachers and having less days of testing certainly is better for teachers.”

Teachers would rather use school days for instruction, not testing, he stressed.

The grades for tests will likely be available to schools before the start of the next school year, “hopefully,” Cruikshank said.

Cruikshank said that he believes most school board members responded favorably to these changes as the district has struggled against the negativity associated with the exams. “These exams are nothing new to NYS but the negativity grew exponentially when student scores were tied to teacher and principal evaluations; which was one of the catalysts for the Opt Out Movement,” he said.

During that time of intense scrutiny, many issues about the exams arose, including the length of time and number of testing questions.

“So, the reduction in the test items as well as the time the exam takes are both viewed as favorable,” Cruikshank said.

He said three days of examinations does not make sense. It was too long.

“With the changes, it's still a rigorous exam, but it hopefully mitigates some of the fatigue that we saw students experience with the longer exams,” he said.

“Schools depend on our children taking these exams, to analyze their own instructional approach to the standards, to provide a snapshot of individual student progress, and to assist in improving academic programs. While we all know that one exam should not hold an extreme amount of weight, the state assessments do contribute to our work and the work with children,” he said.

The changes by the State Education Department are likely viewed as favorable because the number of children opting out of the exams is lower, thereby lessening the anxiety and helping the districts, the superintendent said.

“Few people believe that an exam over three days is necessary,” he added.