The Badass Teachers Assiciation declares that as a matter of conscience, they reject standardized tests because they harm and discourage students.
These BATS say:
“We know that we are in the middle of a war, fighting for our schools and our students. One of the tolls in this war is the implementation of high stakes testing. These tests are like weapons, based upon the knowledge that these tests do not accurately measure educational achievement, but are more truly a measurement of the economic characteristics of the student. Today, decisions are being made to divert funds from numerous programs and appropriate staffing levels as districts are rushing to meet technology requirements and implement test practice programs. This money could be better used to increase staffing levels to allow for better student to teacher ratios, implement new programs that increase cultural and global awareness, create services that support the needs of the whole child, and renovate existing school structures that are in desperate need of repair.
“The amount of stress that our students are under has become overwhelming and our schools are becoming less able to help that. As educators it is our moral responsibility to become a shield for our children and protect them from the people that seek to manipulate their education to personally profit at their expense. We have the moral obligation to become conscientious objectors as we remember our responsibility to our students.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Reblogged this on David R. Taylor-Thoughts on Texas Education.
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thanks, David. I just returned from a 3 week trip to Austin and we really need to communicate across states and that is what BATs is doing — they don’t get much help from the unions but there are BATs who are leaders in unions and we need more of this leadership to emerge. Thank you for what your are doing to help spotlight these efforts.
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I’m trying to do my part. Below are two articles I wrote that have made a difference.
https://davidrtayloreducation.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/i-almost-got-a-pay-raise-this-year/
https://davidrtayloreducation.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/i-almost-got-a-pay-raise-year-the-follow-up/
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It is admirable to hear BATS fight on behalf of their students. However, I would LOVE to hear BATS object to the usurpation of parental rights in the education reform movement, which is banking on the ignorance of so many inner-city parents, while using it to violate the rights of unwitting parents everywhere.
The BATS are setting themselves to be completely marginalized if they don’t closely align with parents/families, because by only fighting the tests (and scores) it looks like they only want to protect their jobs since scores are tied to their evaluations, and ultimately job security.
Someone very influential needs to make this point apparent to the BATS. Their Facebook page members literally attack parents who don’t like the essence of the standards, or when obvious agendas make their way into curriculum. Ultimately, parents should always have the final say in the education of a child, whether it means they choose to teach their child creationism or evolution, and it seems that teachers have decided what is best for ALL children, regardless of parental or community desires.
The bottom line is the parents come first, and should be supported by the teachers.
Until BATS align with and support Parents in the fight against reform, their careers are on on borrowed time.
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“whether it means they choose to teach their child creationism or evolution”
That’s what home-schooling was made for.
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Does it really matter that much to you if a parent chooses “creationism?” Doesn’t a school teach so much more than that? Are those student not welcome in the public school, and the parents rights worthy?
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Parents can certainly teach their kids creationism, and those kids should be welcome at public schools. Parents just can’t demand that their children be taught creationism at school. If parents don’t like the curriculum because it doesn’t teach creationism, that’s just tough nuts.
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Thanks, FLERP. We agree. People are entitled to their ow religious beliefs but not entitled to public subsidy of those beliefs. That’s what religious freedom is about.
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To the Next Level 2000: yes, it matters to me when public tax dollars subsidize religious teaching. I’m not opposed to religion. Teach your children your religion but don’t ask the public to pay for it.
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The problem is that tax dollars will go to pay for whatever private version of schooling comes out of this education reform. And it will succeed if these two groups of stakeholders are not working in concert to protect public education, and children.
There are way too many elements in the 21st century learning standards/CCSS that infringe on parental beliefs about healthy child development. This was only one example.
Why aren’t teachers up in arms about the data collection taking place in school on our children, and the plans to capture it in longitudinal databases?
Yes, they are at risk of losing their jobs, but pull parents aside and tell them. Find the parent leaders in the school and let them know. This is a ground-game, and alliances have to be formed to stop it. Every school needs grade level curriculum committees that meet with parents. Get feedback from parents and be the voice to the administration. The silence is deafening.
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“Why aren’t teachers up in arms about the data collection taking place in school on our children, and the plans to capture it in longitudinal databases?”
You don’t read much around here, do you? Diane has devoted dozens if not hundreds of posts to that very topic, most of which have generated heavy commenting, a lot of which document resistance efforts by teachers.
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BATs is a closed group but you can read some of the good work that Cheri Kiesecker is doing in Colorado here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/469427386458690/
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when Boston Globe writes this in an article, I know my BAT allies are working locally and helping with state efforts… “the Boston Globe article mentions this statement: ” grass-roots organizations that resent bringing in private nonprofits to run public schools. The state has devoted more than $1 million in federal school-improvement grants to support the partnerships.” We need to work with these people to share a purpose….
The SIG (school improvement grants) can be harsh and punitive.
The state “Growth” model is flawed…. Pioneer Institute put out a press release saying the growth model is flawed; but they only care about how the growth model affects students in charter schools. We need to state clearly it is flawed and it affects ALL our students. One city (Marlbrough) appealed to the state to show the data the state released on their school was flawed and they actually were acknowledged and the state report on accountability in Marlborough had to be changed. These flaws in the poliy need to be identified. It is not enough to just say “we are taking it back” because that is a defensive pose.”
Note to myself to re-view “MILK” over the holiday and learn more about the methods of ACT UP.
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You don’t read much around here, do you?
This is a totally mean-spirited comment Dienne. Yes I do read much around here. But what I don’t see is teachers taking action in my town, or any towns in my state for that matter. Posting on blogs is one thing, taking action is quite different.
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Teachers taking action? Such as?
Large scale “action” such as rallies, picketing, sick-outs, no-confidence votes, work-to-rule, or strikes can only be accomplished through union organization. Here in NY, some of these have taken place.
Small scale “action” on the individual level has been accomplished through blogs, social media, you-tube videos, talks, letters to the editor, and other forms of mild protest.
However, the majority of teachers are either compliant or fearful. The fear is based on rumors of possible disciplinary action should we dare to speak out against the educational malpractice we are witnessing first hand. The only legal basis for disciplinary action against teachers lies in the interpretation of our apparently “limited” first amendment rights as public employees. According to the Supreme Court decision in Sherrod v, the School Board of Palm Beach County (2010), teachers do retain first amendment protections if they meet the twin provisions of speaking out as “a citizen” on an issue of “public concern”. To speak out as a public employee, even on a matter of public concern, is not protected under the first amendment.
Link to article:
http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20FDCO%2020101012611
As a NY teacher, I think it behooves our union to make this point perfectly clear to our members rather than send memos implanting vague notions of “possible consequences” if we speak out. It also behooves our union to pursue legislation that would extend our first amendment rights in light of what many of us perceive as policies that are in fact harmful to the growth and development of our students. And in my wildest dream, Governor Cuomo issues an executive order similar to that of Governor Jindal of the proud and progressive state of Louisiana. An executive order that protects the rights of free speech of teachers as public employees.
http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4696
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On a follow up note, I am not aware of any individual teacher in NY state being brought up on charges for speaking out in the blog-sphere, through social media, or in conversation. However, this remains a cautionary tale until our union, our Governor, or a state legislator takes action to fully protect us through legislation.
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BATs align with parents constantly. As a matter of fact, many BATs are parents. When I had an opportunity to dine with Dr. Ravitch, I invited parents from two different advocacy groups in Tennessee to go along. We shared and received so much information used to collaborate constantly with here regularly.
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An excellent comment.
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I signed onto their petition ; they mention malpractice and we need MDs and psychologists and psychiatrists to help work on this.
There are parent members on the BATS blog; I spent over 1 hour conversing with a parent on the BATS email/chat and it turned out that she was a wealthy parent who paid $50,000 a year for her student to go to the private school of her choice because she wanted only the Barkeley method of dealing with adhd/autism; I worked steadily with her and we sent articles and videos back and forth and later I found out she was only pushing the Barkeley method and that she told “us” people/ that she was wealthy. Parents who home school (like my niece and her friends) have different ideas some times…. I do my best to communicate ; BATs is making progress in their agenda and I support their work even if they are in the minority of people who speak out … Even the President of the MTA in our state is criticized and attacked in the Boston Globe by the Commissioner of Ed and this is what they are up against. They will build more grass roots efforts state by state (if you get involved with them, join the group for your state)….
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I met one woman on line who is doing exactly what you are suggesting. “Why aren’t teachers up in arms about the data collection taking place in school on our children, and the plans to capture it in longitudinal databases?” We have been conversing for 6 months in BATs…. and every day she provides valuable resources on this topic. Her name is Cheryl Kiesecker in Colorado and I will tell her that I placed her name here to recommend the work she is doing. It turned out that she also provided me with valuable information for a student who was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing disorder. I also met through BATs a woman who is quoted in the Boston Globe and is on he Worcester School Committee and a woman from Texas who invited me to visit in her home (she has posted here on Diane’s list) and she offers valuable resources to her colleagues. Please give them all the assistance that you can; it is an enormous undertaking and (being retired) I need to support the younger people in their efforts.
One woman in BATs wrote that she is 75 and this is the first civil protest she has ever been involved in (against the tests).
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cx
on line through BATs
cx cautious not cautions
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Thank you. I will read more about this. In Connecticut, there are crickets.
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I challenge all the BATs to refuse to give the tests, to refuse to implement “standards” that they know are age inappropriate, and refuse to do the various educational malpractices against which you all supposedly “conscientiously object”.
As that begins to happen I will then know the BATs have balls with which “to fight this war”.
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Do you have children who are enrolled in the public school system? If you did I think you would retract this comment. Parents and teachers know best what is age appropriate. I don’t think physics professors like Jason Zimba who wrote part of the math standards or David Coleman who is a business entrepreneur and not a teacher should be granted the right to determine education standards. It is just insane!
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I’m really baffled what you think you’re arguing with Duane about. What is it you want him to retract?
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No, no kids in school now but they did go though public education K-12 (or at least the younger two, the oldest was damn determined to not graduate and he didn’t despite all the interventions that we tried. But I knew he would be fine and he is as he has gone through culinary school and is a chef in a restaurant in which this 21 year veteran of public school teaching can’t afford to even eat the appetizers.)
I wouldn’t retract the post but reiterate again to the BATS to actually DO SOMETHING CONCRETE to counteract the various EDUCATIONAL MALPRACTICES that harm many students, refuse to give the tests, teach the way you know what is best for the students, etc. . .
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https://www.facebook.com/TakingItBack Gus Morales and others — new leadership emerges; the Massachusetts MTA president was newly elected based on teachers voices and participation….
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Roxanne,
I didn’t see your second post to me before posting the 1:11. I was a bit confused by your first but now understand.
Take care,
Duane
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“Rankee Routs”
BATS and balls
And series tests
VAMpire calls
And Pearsonal bests
To win this thing
We need opt outs
And power swing
For Rankee routs
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My apologies, I misread his comment. I read “age appropriate” instead of “age inappropriate”. Therefore it appeared to me like a sarcastic challenge to BATS for claiming that it is age inappropriate. My mistake due to too much caffeine this morning 😉 Sorry Duane.
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Duane: they need to be cautions; one by one you can lose your job easily…. I am retired but still actively involved so I can speak out in my home state and not get fired; I speak to the Mayor, I call the local superintendent, I email the Governor etc etc etc… I don’ think they can take my pension away but if you are a teacher in a building and you are the ONLY one speaking out you get removed quickly or assigned to something that is most difficult as punishment. If the unions would support the “no test” and promise to protect jobs? But I don’t see the unions doing that. Even when a teacher writes in “i want my child to opt out of the tests” they can be harassed by the administration.
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Duane, the NYSA Dept. Of Ed. Made it clear that encouraging students in any way was a firable offense. That said, many of us are refusing the tests for our kids, but that’s getting on shaky ground.
My wife and and I (both BATs, although I’m the only teacher) are abstaining our son from the tests and will do the same for our daughters when they’re old enough. That said, I don’t advertise this where I teach.
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I must have missed that memo? Do you have it?
NYSED has no policy that limits the free speech rights of teachers that I am aware of. However recent interpretations of the US Constitution (First amendment) have determined that there is NO protection for public employees from speaking out against their employer. Speaking out as a citizen regarding a legitimate public concern is however covered by legal precedent. It is apparently up to individual school districts to take disciplinary action against teachers. I would think that it is time to promote legislation that extends our right to free speech. If Louisiana can do it, why not NY?
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Duane the concrete examples are coming from the BATs in their states; for example “take back the schools” Gus Morales and a group that are working in Holyoke MA (still that is in an isolated part of the state) and the leadership is still emerging and more will possibly join him in BATs as a result. That is how a grass roots movement gets built and it takes time. I still say that the young women who were burning bras in the 60s were necessary …. even though my cohort was 28 and up (so we did different things).. trying to lend a bit of humor here….
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BATs is against the Common Core Standards and has aligned with parents and teachers who refuse to allow their own children to take CCSS assessments. Many BATs are also active in test refusal groups, and we provide information to parents and teachers on BATs walls and in our state groups about test refusal procedures. Suggesting that BATs in right to work states, or without due process protections, risk immediate firing by refusing as individuals to administer tests is foolish. Districts are hoping to fire veteran teachers for any reason and replace them with cheaper ones who follow every order. As an organization, we assist and support EVERY teacher to work against the use and adoption of CCSS testing, modules and related curricula that is inappropriate for our students.
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Although refusing to administer tests would be bad-ass.
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and some teachers have, but every situation is different. And teachers have families to support- are you offering to feed them? Few people know the intense battles taking place within our union locals and school building committees to protect our students as best we can. And many many teachers have refused testing for their own children in my state of NY.
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Parents in Southern California are also opting out!
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Even more bad-ass would be a BAT (one protected by tenure, which is important only insofar as it allows them to do what’s right for kids without fear of reprisal) refusing to engage in test prep. January is right around the corner. If your school hasn’t already begun the test prep cycle, it’s about to start!
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you still need to be a union or a group or not just a minority of one…. With today’s politics and the calibre of some administrators??????The last school meeting I attended it was obvious that the principal was in control because her job was on the line and if she did not control that budget (by keeping the teachers in line)…. heaven help us. The superintendent goes on the Cable TV and says “these tests give me the ammunition now to find the teachers that…” and you know the rest. I complained to the Mayor and we need to tell the school committees. I’m not sure people outside the actual school building know how bad it is for the teachers (if you haven’t been working under these conditions). BATS are doing the very best they can in the arena where they are situated.
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The Common Core Implementation Reform Act of 2014 linmits test prep to 2% of annual instruction time, that’s about 3 class periods, maximum, per year, per subject. I for one plan on 0% test prep.
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I am a mother who actively participates in my child’s public school. I can testify to the remarks that the test is not age appropriate and is leaving children with a sense that they are ” not smart and not good enough”. Psychologist should get ready for a windfall of profits in the future as these children when grown will need to seek out therapy. The standards may be appropriate for the 15 percent who are gifted and advanced such as the a-holes who wrote the standards, but in no way is it suitable for most children. I suspect the writers had very lonely childhoods and were socially awkward or else they would not seek such cruel punishment of children. I doubt whether many of the writers of the standards even have children. Worst of all, the teachers who are paranoid about being fired if the test scores fall below the standards are now putting pressure on struggling children and their parents. I witnessed one teacher reprimand a parent whose child missed a week of school due to an illness. She said ” —— really needs to get back to school because we are preparing for the test at the end of the term.” I was initially on board with the Common Core when I was under the illusion that it was written by teachers and experts in child development. Now that I know the truth there is no way I can stand by this program until it is heavily edited by parents, teachers, education professors and child development experts. Thankfully more people are waking up to the age inappropriate content!
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“Edited at the Core”
Edited out of existence
Nothing less will do
Cuz Common Core persistence
Means that we are through
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SomeDAM Poet; thank you
the NPR had on radio this week “oversupply of people” ; perhaps you could include that theme in your next poem? It is similar to the Big PHARMA CEO who goes on cable TV to say the drugs are so expensive because the elderly are a “burden” (he is creating drugs for Hepatitis C at $100,000 per patient etc. and some of his patients are approaching 60 )….. There is a nasty , inhuman quality to the messages ; even people who appear to be enlightened talk about how we need more “workers to do those services” like make their hotel beds etc….
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“Nimiety of Propaganda Reporters”
Too many people at NPR
On this we might agree
To propagandize in our car
On radio, for “free”
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