Congresswoman Tenney Joins Letter Calling for Transparency on Learning Loss from New York State

Utica, NY – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today joined a letter led by Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) calling on New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa to release 2021-2022 Grades 3 through 8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessment data. Traditionally, the state has released this data in August prior to the start of the next school year. However, the data for the previous school year still are yet to be made public.

“Assessment data for mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) are made available for New Yorkers to review every August. However, with an election approaching, Governor Hochul withheld the data this year, in what appears to be a clear attempt to cover up the damage done by New York’s unscientific COVID mandates, which undoubtedly had a significant impact on learning. New York should make its data public now, just as it has in past years. Our children must always come first,” Congresswoman Tenney said.

In part, the lawmakers wrote, “The results from the most recent National Assessment of Education Progress showed staggering levels of learning loss for students on the national level. Average scores in 2022 declined five points in reading and seven points in math compared to 2020. This is the largest average decline in reading since 1990 and the first-ever decline in math. The results also showed worsening achievement gaps, as students who were already struggling in school or come from disadvantaged backgrounds suffered disproportionately. It is hard to believe New York State’s data does not show similar, if not worse, levels of learning loss at the state level.”

The letter was also signed by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Joe Sempolinski (NY-23).

The full text of the letter is available here. 

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