Jacquie Slater & WNYT Staff Created: February 03, 2021 06:40 PM A week after the state said it's seeking federal waivers on standardized tests for students, the proposal is getting mixed reviews. The New York State Education Department says given the pandemic and unusual learning circumstances facing students and educators, mandated assessments could not be executed fairly. However, some groups say not giving them creates inequality. Some students are at home, some are hybrid, some are in person all the time. The Board of Regents says assessments cannot be safely, equitably, and fairly administered given the differences in pandemic instruction models across the state.