Stephanie Jones of the Univetsity of Georgia wonders what would happen if the federal government mandated that doctors be evaluated by the longevity of their patients. Those who choose to practice in low-income communities would get lower scores than those who practice in affluent communities. (So would oncologists and heart surgeons, as compared to dermatologists.)
What if evaluations got even more far-fetched by rating medical schools by the longevity of the patients of the doctors they prepared?
Yet this is the absurd mandate that the U.S. Department of Education is planning for colleges of education.
Jones writes:
“The era of testing has failed miserably, but we can only begin undoing the damage and rebuilding our K-12 students’ and families’ trust in and value from public education when we call it quits on high-stakes testing.
“If teachers don’t impact standardized test scores very much, what do they impact? Lives, motivation, understanding of content and concepts, non-standardized tests, grades, students’ willingness to learn, creativity, critical thinking, crucial skills for communication in the 21st century, and the ability for children and young people to see themselves as powerful actors in the world around them.
“So why would policymakers want to keep high-stakes testing in place – and furthermore – to embed it in the very fabric of the entire education system from kindergarten through university teacher education?
“Perhaps pride is getting in the way. It must be terribly difficult to admit that billions of dollars have been given to corporations, millions of children have been retained and put at further risk of dropping out of high school, high school students have been denied diplomas, teachers have been punished, schools have been taken over, others have been closed, communities have been ripped apart, education has narrowed to test preparation, and parents and children have been absolutely tormented because a small group of people insist – against all evidence – that high-stakes testing is valuable.
“Please, policymakers, don’t make the mistake of pinning Colleges of Education against the wall with test scores, and release the pressure from K-12 schools so they can implement the learning-focused instructional approaches they have learned in their teacher preparation programs.
Just take a deep breath and whisper “mea culpa” so we can join together as allies in the disaster relief effort.”
The pride factor is my biggest concern about anything changing. How can anyone justify the billions wasted and the many lives harmed with a simply “My bad.” Legacies and political ambitions are on the line. How can the policy developers acknowledge their errors and still save face?
Personally I don’t give a shit about them saving “face”. May their ‘faces” drip off their heads into a messy pile.
I care, because I want change, and I’m not sure change is possible if those in power who have created the current system can’t walk away with heads held high.
OAIIT,
Corrupt people in power won’t ever “walk away with heads held high” voluntarily unless they have gotten as much as their avaricious desire wants.
From what I’ve seen, Governor Cuomo never concedes an error of any kind. Anything wrong with educational policy is the fault of the Regents. Anything positive is because of his efforts. The media seems to accept his version of all things education. Has Rhee ever admitted error? Duncan? Last I saw, Secretary Duncan was blaming states for over-testing students. Bill Gates wants a 3-year moratorium on test consequences. W has ridden off into the sunset. You don’t find many mea culpas. I’m grateful that Diane has made her very thoughtful and public shift.
Btw, a wonderful essay. I wish more would acknowledge the many immeasurable impacts teachers have on students.
Excellent extension of the high-stakes testing mentality to other professions. It helps to clarify to all stake holders what educators have endured since 2002. The damage has been done. We need to begin the process of healing the profession from within.
Do you really think it’s pride? Isn’t it profits? Aren’t they all in cahoots? Don’t policy makers benefit somehow from profit-driven reform?
I’ve always given the Reformists the benefit of a doubt of being well-intentioned. I can’t imagine someone like Bill Gates really desiring to make more money from this.
Really? I don’t.
Btw, there are at least two distinct pride branches. I don’t know quite how to describe them. Bill Gates represents one. Doesn’t need money. Doesn’t need the legacy. Michelle Rhee represents another. Where has she been, btw? I think the politicians like Duncan, Cuomo, and Jeb Bush (W, as well, now that I think about it) represent a third.
Policy makers get campaign donations and other perks from lobbyists representing testing companies.
Exactly! Ohio, I hate to say this, but don’t be so naive! They are all profiting in some way. Otherwise it doesn’t make sense. All the research goes against the moves reformers are making. It has to be for money. They have duped the general public into believing their lies so they can profit. One example is how they have gotten the public to be against unions by saying that tenure means a teacher can’t be fired. Not true!
I don’t mind hearing it, annat. Really, it doesn’t matter what their intentions are when they are backing such harmful policies. And, while quite possibly naive, I am very on guard. I just don’t like thinking negative things about people. Now, some, like Cuomo are so openly full of contempt for teachers that it’s hard not to think the worst.
Pride, profits, and fear of law suits.
There wouldn’t be many geriatricians left nor young doctors going into the field! Pediatrics would be a much “better” choice.
Isn’t it the purview of the IRS or Congress, to investigate or have hearings about philanthropic “farces” that impact tax payers and students?
The Gates-funded Silicon Valley, “Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education”, posted at their site, in fall 2014, an Achieve announcement that began with the statement, “For Common Core SS to be successful, all educators need access to…aligned instructional materials.” That was after the announcement that Microsoft had a deal with Pearson to develop curriculum for the copyrighted Common Core.
“It ain’t over till the billionaire sings”
They’re heavily invested
So can’t admit they’re wrong
The students will be tested
Till Billy sings the song
…..
Don’t hold your breath…
Unfortunately, Billy only knows one song
‘Little Willy” (The Sweet)
North side, east side
Little Willy
Willy wears the crown
He’s the king around town
Testing, VAMming
Willy drives them silly
With his Common Core
Shimmy shuffle down
Way past one and feeling alright
‘Cos with little Willy
Round they can last all night
Hey down, stay down, stay down, down
‘Cos little Willy, Willy won’t go home
But you can’t push Willy round, Willy won’t go
Try tellin’ everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won’t go home
Up town, down town
Little Willy
Willy drives them wild
With his run-around style
Inside, outside
Willy sends them silly
With his Common Core
Shimmy shuffle smile
Teachers done chase
Willy down through the hall
But laugh, Willy laugh, he don’t care at all
Hey down, stay down, stay down, down
‘Cos little Willy, Willy won’t go home
But you can’t push Willy round, Willy won’t go
Try tellin’ everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won’t go home
Poetry says it best, again.
I think it’s worth noting that this article is posted on a blog of the Atlanta Journal Constitution — one of the most consistent mouthpieces of The Reform and Common Core propaganda of any major national newspaper — by a writer/blogger who has consistently backed everything typically found in the AJC (Common Core, test-based teacher evaluations, etc.). While too many of the comments (at the blog site) continue to go against what many of us believe in, this was a shocking…and especially heartening essay to find, considering the source (not the essay writer, but the actual blog site).
I like this one. It’s not pride but greed in the back.
Cuomo just sent out
On Wednesday, January 21, I look forward to delivering my “2015 Opportunity Agenda” focusing on creating economic opportunity for all, reforming our education system, and restoring confidence and trust in the justice system both in perception and in reality.
Wonderful – tomorrow we find out how he plans to bludgeon us.
This is a poor analogy. Life span is an objective measure, standardized testing is not. The situation is even more ridiculous than Ms. Jones presents!