A Bronx educator critical of standardized testing has been elected to lead the State Board of Regents, marking a major shift for the powerful policy-making board. NY1's Education Reporter Lindsey Christ explains.

Monday morning, the 17-member Board of Regents, elected a new leader, signaling the official start of a new era for state education policy.

The new chancellor is Betty Rosa, a 64-year-old educator who spent much of her childhood in Puerto Rico before moving to New York.

She learned English in city public schools and went on to become a teacher, principal, and then superintendent in many of the city's neediest neighborhoods, experiences that deeply influence her approach to policymaking. 

"It's knowing that our children come to schools with so many issues — complex issues," Rosa said.

Rosa has been a vocal critic of the state's testing program in recent years, and her election was endorsed by leaders of the Opt-Out movement, parents who have chosen to have their children refuse to take the annual standardized tests. Last year, 20 percent of students opted out. 

After being elected Regents Chancellor, Rosa said she would make the same decision if she had a child in elementary or middle school.

"If I was a parent and I was not on the Board of Regents, I would opt out at this time, yes," Rosa said.

The Board of Regents oversees the state education department, the agency responsible for the tests. And in contrast to Rosa, the new commissioner of the department has been actively encouraging parents to let their children take the exams this year.  

"I think it's my role — and the Regents' role — to get out there and say these are the changes we've made," said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. "We've got more to do, but we've listened and these are the reasons that it's important for students to be assessed."

 

Changes include shortening the tests, not timing students, and not using the results to evaluate teachers.

 

Merryl Tisch, who is retiring at the end of the month, has led the Board of Regents since 2009 and has championed many of the policies that the board is now moving away from, including the adoption of the Common Core learning standards and tying testing results to teacher evaluations.