The Texas testing system is a pot of gold for Pearson–a five year contract worth $500 million.
Pearson has a problem. More than half the school boards in Texas have passed a resolution against high-stakes testing.
The parents and citizens have watched the stakes go up and up for the past 20 years and they don’t see how it helps their children or their state.
They didn’t see any miracle in Texas.
Now an influential conservative blogger has spoken up and called for a halt. Enough is enough. Put the money into the classroom.
Is there a real possibility that common sense may be breaking out in the great state of Texas?
As a native Texan, I sure hope so.
Texans may talk funny (to non-Texans), but we are not stupid.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It amazes me what parents will allow when it comes to their children.
If my kids were in a public school, I’d never allow them to sit for a state standardized test. I’d have them evaluated/tested OUTSIDE the school system with an authentic TEST and not an ASSESSMENT.
I’d never allow my child to use a calculator k-8.
I’d never allow a teacher/stranger to teach them Sex Education, drug/alcohol Ed. etc. This is MY responsibility.
Unfortunately many parents have simply handed over their job to the STATE and follow these guidelines like sheep.
” I’d have them evaluated/tested OUTSIDE the school system with an authentic TEST and not an ASSESSMENT.”
Please define “authentic test”.
What is the difference between “an authentic TEST” and an “ASSESSMENT”?
It seems to me that you are confusing the two terms, thus the need for clarification as I’m not quite sure what you are trying to say.
I want my child’s academic knowledge tested, not their attitudes, beliefs and values assessed.
“Texans may talk funny (to non-Texans), but we are not stupid.”
I’m not a native Texan, but I’ve lived here for 25 years now so I do know something about being a Texan. Texans (for the most part) aren’t stupid, but Texans are stubborn and don’t like to back down. I think your readers would agree you yourself got those qualities: intelligence and stubbornness. Stubbornness for the right cause is certainly an admirable quality. I just know how stubborn certain politicians are going to be in Texas and across the nation even when faced with mounting evidence against the effectiveness, and for the harm, of the standardized-testing Leviathan. Besides, too much money has greased too many palms. In the scales of too many politicians hearts, money weighs more heavily than the needs of America’s children and America’s future.
Texas should have 10 of the best teachers from around the sate in the core subjects go to Austin for a week, make a state test and get rid of Pearso, save a bundle. Use the savings to support education rather than line the pockets of Pearson. A state the size of Texas should be able to make their own test.
Reblogged this on Abelardo Garcia Jr's Blog and commented:
Watch this! Some voices are starting to sound loud enough!! The STARR test is flawed and ineffective at measuring a teachers effectiveness. Read and read again and pass it on.
It kind of reminds me of our government. The bigger it gets, the less effective it is.
Excellent observation Michelle!