New York principal Carol Burris here explains that Commissioner John King is obsessed by test scores and that he has no clue about the meaning or purpose of education. Districts across the state are expected to purchase a book that will indoctrinate them into King’s particular obsession. He truly can’t understand why parents and educators do not share his love of test scores. Of course, he draws the line where his own children are concerned. They attend a Montessori school that is not driven by data.
Data are for Other People’s Children.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
We have a two tiered society—the haves and the have nots. King is in the HAVE group.
We are driven mad about test data because we know it is contrived, manipulated, unreliable. invalid, and corrupt. The notion that these bogus exams given to 8 to 14 year olds will some how make them college and career ready while at the same time earning US the number one ranking in international testing is ABSURD. NO ONE is buying into this prposterous premise. Parents in high functioning school districts have wtached generations of students head into college and careers successfully – without the endless test-prep and testing.
Comparing the US to other countries is like comparing apples to dish washers – they do not relate. Our population is so diverse and includes immigrants, refugees, and other non-English speakers. We also educate the learning impaired or disabled. It is truly an open enrollment to the public (unless you count charter or private schools). We educate all, they educate some (the most promising).
If our system is so bad, why do the wealthy from other countries send their children here (even to high school)?
This excuse is just a sham or should I say a manipulation of statistical data.
Here in Ohio, we fought the heinous Senate Bill 5 by collecting over a million signatures to put it on the ballot. It was overturned!! That was great. Only, our “governor” Kasich (ex-Lehman Brother exec and reporter for Fox) wrote his dastardly ideas into his budget, where it is “untouchable”. We continue to fight. But, it is difficult when the OEA seems to buy into the CC and the prof dev that is given via the RttT funds goes towards training in the CC. Our district got a pittance since we were already “successful” on the OAA tests. Of course, according to “those in the know” our tests were “too easy” and won’t compare to the expectations of the PARCC testing. We’ve jumped on the bandwagon, given MAP tests to kids from K-upward. Teachers aren’t really given any choices if they want to remain employed. So, they march into the lemming-like parade of testing, testing, testing. Parents complain at conferences. We aren’t allowed to make comments lest we are “insubordinate” and the principal says “I will know if you have said things you shouldn’t.” In other words, it doesn’t MATTER what parents or teachers THINK, we are WRONG to make any negative comments. What do we do? It is just disgusting. Of course, our supt is all about our tiny district being known for being “great” and anyone who doesn’t buy into his “vision” is ushered out asap.
But, what can anyone do? How do you fight something that is forced upon you with no recourse available? How do you endure being evaluated poorly by someone who is bent on finding reason to shove you out if you aren’t a “game player”.
It is very uncomfortable around there.
Charge of insubordination is not supportable if the enforcement of the rule
or order violated the First Amendment rights to free speech or academic
freedom. Not supportable if the order is unreasonable or beyond the
authority of its maker.
I agree, but “fighting back” is very difficult since they can easily give anyone any score they wish using the rubric for domains. They will “get you”. Some might be able to fight them, but it takes a long time and most people can’t afford it. The supts and principals buy into it because they feel they “have to” and some of them are actually brainwashed.
I am not trying to be fatalistic, but in our district, actual respect for teachers doesn’t exist … just some lip service that isn’t sincere. Don’t cross them. Don’t object. Get on the band wagon. Go to the IT hires who don’t have any educational background and let them lead the way, design the tests, and make the demands.
Unfortunately, even though you can “see it in their eyes” all the teachers do is march lockstep in following orders they don’t believe in because they have mortgages to pay.
Diane, at EPI you said. “Data without eyes is blind.” We have quite a few blind persons making education policy. This epidemic of insanity must have an end or the next generation will be blind and deaf.
This link has a graph showing the amount of emphasis given to testing at the local, state and federal levels in each grade level. In my experience, this is quite accurate.
http://www.jointhefuture.org/1365-testing-more-teaching-less#.UmfdYkMIiuM.facebook
NYSED just sent out emails informing school districts across the state that they are officially SUSPENDING THE PARCC EXAMS for 2014-2015 and the future of New York state’s commitment to the PARCC exams is very much in doubt. The email cited reasons for the suspension including, cost to districts and technology logistics. Ding-dong the . . .
Where can I find the letter?