Getty Images/ Halfpoint New York State United Teachers sent the request to the State Education Department for the same waiver that was granted last year citing the continued challenges students and educators are facing during the pandemic that disrupt the normal education process. The Union says “without standardized instructional modes, there should not be a standardized test at the end of the year.” NYSUT adds teachers are trying to also address social emotional needs of students caused by not only the pandemic but last year’s social unrest. The Union says it doesn’t expect those factors to change in the near future, especially given the recent surge in cases and the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus.