Hi SOS Supporters,
On October 19th, there are two actions against high stakes testing in Denver. Please join or support them in whatever way you can. If you enjoy dressing as a Zombie, join the Zombie crawl and protest turning our students into testing zombies. Visit the tumblr to learn more.
http://testingkillsbrains.tumblr.com/
Also, they are specifically looking for volunteers at the following times. Amber writes,
“I need volunteers for our first action on Sat Oct 19th, to dress as test zombies and pass out flyers at the zombie crawl. I would love to have a large group of people at the costume contest to chant and get media attention. Times as follows:
2:00 pm – Kickoff!
3:00 pm – Widows Bane
3:55 pm – Thriller!
4:00 pm – Zombie Crawl Parade down 16th St.
5:30 pm – Costume Contests @ Skyline Park
The parade and costume contest is what I feel is most important.
Please send out the word and get as many people as you can to help us. This is the launch of our group and it promises to be big. Contact me athypnoamber@netscape.net for more deets.
Amber”
If you don’t want to be a zombie on Saturday, how about joining Students for our Schools to find out how you would score on our students’ tests? On Saturday, the 19th, join adults and community leaders as they take a high stakes tests.
Alex writes,
“Hello Education Activists and Supports,
As you know, the education revolution is a continuous fight, and we could use your help.
On October 19th, we are hosting our Take-The-Test event where adults will be taking a standardized test. We have invited over 100 elected officials, and we need you too!
Below is what we have been sending to the press, but we need your help spreading the word, getting people to sign up and making this event great! If you can spread the word, sign up and get one other person to sign up we can make this event great. Feel free to post this anywhere and everywhere! If you have any questions feel free to send me an email or call.
Thank you so much.
Alex”
http://www.students4ourschools.org/takethetest.html
Check out the great press release about this event.
http://www.students4ourschools.org/1/post/2013/10/take-the-test-event-press-release.html
Thank you for all of your help! Together, we can stop this testing madness and let teachers get back to teaching.
-Melody
P.S. Don’t forget to support school board candidates who are committed to fighting the neoliberal or corporate reform movements. Our teachers and students deserve elected officials who will put students’ interests ahead of political or financial gains. Thank you.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Just heard this morning that Denver received $10 million from Gates to implement teacher evals. . . uggghhhhhh!!
It is funny that Gates is still handing out millions for teacher evaluations since he recently admitted that it will take a decade until we know whether “this stuff” works.
No need for citizens to vote these days. Bill Gates just buys all of the politicians and they vote his way.
Yes, oppose ridiculous tests and unfair cut points. Support common core standards as a framework on which teachers and school leaders can construct world class learning events appropriate to their circumstances. School improvement requires intensive interventions from experienced pair of experts. Deming observed 20 years ago that testing could not improve systems. Fight foolish use of tests to evaluate teachers. Support professional evaluations by Joint Intervention Teams (Manley and Hawkins, Corwin Press 2013)