The literacy test was among four assessments introduced in the 2013-2014 school year as part of an effort to raise the level of elementary and secondary school teaching in the state. Education reformers believe that tests like New York's Academic Literacy Skills Test can weed out potentially lousy teachers. In implementing the exams, Walsh added, New York had become "light years ahead of other states" in its teacher certification regimen. The Academic Literacy Skills Test consists of multiple-choice questions about a series of reading selections plus a written section. But, he said, he’s not a fan of this particular literacy test.

Source: Fox News March 13, 2017 15:56 UTC