February 24, 2026
 
Dear Parents,

A little over a decade ago, the state amended the law governing teacher evaluations to include student performance on certain assessments.  At that time, a number of parents chose to “opt their child(ren) out” of grades 3-8 testing.  A few years ago, the law was again amended, and student performance on grades 3-8 assessments is no longer used in the teacher evaluation process.  However, the percentage of students not participating in the assessments has remained high and relatively unchanged.  This is somewhat problematic for the district, because we do not receive helpful diagnostic information for about half of our students that our teachers could use to address individual student needs and guide instruction.  Additionally, because participation has been so low in recent years, we are not able to use state testing data to draw accurate conclusions regarding grade level and subgroup performance that could help us address potential curriculum issues.   My sense from speaking with parents over the past few years is that the original reason for assessment refusal has been lost over time, and parents are of the belief that these tests are optional. I am hopeful that this year will be different.

First, please know that every child is much more than just an assessment score.  Behind the data are children that we want to support.   State assessments provide our teachers with important feedback for improvement, on both student and programmatic levels.

Second, please know that 3-8 assessments are NOT connected with teacher evaluation.  This was changed several years ago.

Lastly, the State Education Department recently changed the school and district accountability system.  While Kings Park has consistently outperformed Long Island and NYS averages in 3-8 ELA, Math, and Science, we know that groups of students are struggling.   Because our tested counts have been so low, we are coming dangerously close to not meeting certain benchmarks and landing on one of the state’s “improvement lists.”  Should this occur, this will result in a negative public facing indicator for Kings Park.  I desperately want to avoid this.

I sincerely hope that your child(ren) will participate in the upcoming 3-8 ELA, Math, and Science (grades 5 & 8) assessments later this spring.  We simply ask that you send your child(ren) to school on these designated testing days ready to do their best.  The dates are printed on the school district calendar.  Please note that grades 3-8 testing in ELA, Math, and Science is required by federal law, and keeping your child home on testing days in an effort to avoid these tests is not considered an excused absence for attendance purposes.  If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact your child’s principal.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support.

Sincerely,
 
Timothy T. Eagen, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Kings Park CSD