Teachers’ union criticizes biology and earth science regents exams

Concerns Over Biology and Geoscience Testing

Teachers have expressed frustration over this week’s new biology and geoscience regents exams, noting that many questions seemed to stray from what was actually covered in class. Complaints from students, parents, and educators described some of the questions as “truly traumatic,” raising serious issues about the exams’ relevance.

Melinda, the president of NYSUT, shared, “We’ve heard numerous reports indicating that topics in this year’s exams included unexpected off-curriculum material.” She emphasized that discrepancies between the tests and curriculum could create confusion and undermine both student and educator confidence.

This year’s exams in Life Sciences: Biology and Earth and Space Science have replaced the previous versions called “Living Environment” and “Physical Environment/GeoScience.” NYSUT, which represents over 1,200 local unions, highlighted some of the exam-related complaints on social media, including statements from anonymous teachers involved in this year’s Earth Sciences exam. One lamented, “It’s really traumatic.”

Critics pointed out that instead of fostering a love for science, the test seemed to prioritize reading speed. “This test doesn’t engage students,” a frustrated educator remarked. “It teaches them that being fast and a good reader is all that matters.” Many students reportedly struggled to finish the exam, even after putting in significant effort.

“I’ve never seen kids so stressed,” one teacher wrote. “It’s not school—it’s torture.” Another stated that multiple accelerated students in her class didn’t manage to complete the exam, citing excessive reading material as a barrier.

Teachers also noted challenges with the Earth Science portion. A Queens educator shared that watching students take three hours to finish, in a class of 30, was unprecedented. “I would argue they’re not ready for this,” he said, expressing his concerns. Interestingly, his daughter took a different exam in Long Island, raising questions about inconsistencies.

“I’m not sure if city schools are being treated like guinea pigs,” he mused, highlighting confusion over the testing process. Many students took to TikTok to voice their dissatisfaction, with some showcasing test materials that diverged significantly from what they had studied.

One student expressed frustration over encountering unfamiliar subjects, likening the exam experience to a prior Earth Science test. “Why was that even on there?” he wondered, recalling unexpected topics that hadn’t been part of their curriculum.

Meanwhile, educator David C. Bloomfield from Brooklyn College criticized the testing framework itself, emphasizing that if tests fail to reflect the public curriculum, it’s a disservice to students. “This system needs to prepare kids properly for exams,” he stated, underscoring that anything outside the students’ preparation is, quite simply, unfair.