School System Updates on Student Tests, Meals

Changes are being made in standardized testing, SATs and Advanced Placement exams, while a school food location has been changed.

Because of the social distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, changes are reportedly being made in testing requirements and opportunities.

Connecticut’s State Education Commissioner, Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, is seeking a waiver from the United States Department of Education (USED) from federal guidelines that New Britain schools Superintendent Nancy Sarra said are, “in regard to federal assessment and accountability requirements.”

The Connecticut State Department of Education, Sarra said, “has received approval from the USED that Connecticut can begin to implement the provisions in this waiver which includes no summative testing (Smarter Balance, Next Generation Science Standards, CT SAT, CTAA and CTAS).”

Meanwhile, the College Board has provided a March 20, 2020 update on Advanced Placement courses and testing through the organization, saying that, “Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home,” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College Board also says that, “we’re providing free, live, and on-demand AP courses and developing a new at-home testing option. For each AP subject, there will be two different testing dates.”

“The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam,” says the College Board, “and additional testing information will be available by April 3.”

A web page has information on, “AP Online Courses,” and an ,”AP Course Schedule.” The College Board says that the courses, “Are optional, mobile-friendly, and can be used alongside any work your teacher may give you.”

Sarra also said , in her March 26th update to New Britain parents that, “Since many students in grade 11 use the Connecticut SAT School Day for college acceptance/placement, the CSDE will work closely with the College Board to determine how best to afford all students the opportunity to take an SAT assessment either this spring or sometime in the future.”

The Consolidated School District of New Britain also says that one of its school meal distribution sites has changed. It says that, “We have changed one of our locations from A.W. Stanley Park to Holmes Elementary School after families let us know it was difficult to find the food truck in A.W. Stanley Park.”

The school district adds, “Hopefully, the Holmes parking lot will be easier to access for all!”

“CSDNB and Whitsons Food Services are currently operating six meal distribution centers Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 10am and 11:30am – 1pm,” Sarra said March 26th. “The centers are located at New Britain High School, Pulaski Middle School, Smalley Elementary School, Smith Elementary School, Holmes Elementary School, and Slade Middle School.”

“All children 18 and under are eligible for meals,” Sarra adds.

Editor’s note (3/28/2020): The article was updated with newer information from the College Board.