Imagine being in a testing room, ready to showcase everything you've learned all year, only to be thwarted by a computer glitch. That's exactly what happened at our school during the state math test. The frustration and added stress of dealing with a statewide outage of the testing app is not something any student should have to endure.

Testing on a computer isn't just about answering questions; it's a separate skill set entirely, reliant on technical know-how rather than academic prowess. For many students, particularly those without constant access to technology, this can mean an unfair testing environment. Students are not even being tested on their knowledge anymore; they're being tested on their ability to navigate and adapt to technology under high-pressure situations.

Further complicating matters, many schools in New York state lack the necessary resources to maintain this digital testing infrastructure effectively. Technical issues, like software glitches or network outages, are not rare occurrences—they are quite common, causing unwarranted delays and disruptions in the testing schedules. The state’s focus should be on creating equitable educational opportunities, not on forcing students to confront technical hardships that are beyond their control.

Returning to paper-based tests will restore fairness and reliability. Unlike digital tests, paper tests are not contingent on the operational status of technology. They ensure that students are assessed purely on their academic abilities, levelling the playing field for all students regardless of their digital proficiency.

It's time to put students first. We urge the New York State Department of Education to reconsider and return to the traditional method of paper testing. By doing this, they will place the focus back on learning and testing knowledge, not on technical skills. Sign this petition to help bring about this crucial change.