Archives for the month of: February, 2015
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Yohuru Williams: Malcolm X and the Problem of High-Stakes Testing

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
5

Yohuru Williams, a professor of history at Fairfield University, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Malcolm X by revisiting the cultural and racial biases that robbed him of his dreams.

Williams argues that black students today are labeled and stigmatized by test scores as surely as Malcolm was labeled and disparaged because of his race.

Williams writes:

“It is the kind of racial determinism that many students of color have become accustomed to. Proponents of high stakes testing resurrect such determinism, presumably without the racial overtones, by reducing students, their hopes and dreams for the future, to test scores. Effectively, they close the door to the hope of achievement through hard work and academic engagement…..

“In shrinking students’ lives to test scores, the opportunity for them to dream and achieve beyond the arbitrary measures of intelligence offered by standardized tests will be lost. Coupled with punitive disciplinary policies, high stakes tests narrow the pathways to success for poor and minority youth even as they come neatly wrapped in the language of colorblind assessment.

“More significantly, testing will continue to feed, not eradicate the real great civil rights issue of our time; the growing school to prison pipeline, which like a malignant cancer, continues to eat away at the fabric of many inner cities by robbing students of their future…..”

“Rather than acknowledging the potential dangers posed by the adoption of high stakes assessments, testing’s proponents press forward heralding such evaluations as the best hope for a level playing field. In the same way that segregation laws limited opportunity under Jim Crow, high stakes testing has become one of the primary instruments of exclusion in support of what legal scholar Michelle Alexander has termed the New Jim Crow…..

“We are saddled with an education system that transforms believers in fairness and equality into staunch critics of a system that reduces the hopes and dreams of future generations to a score.”

Categories Race, Segregation , Racial Isolation and Integration, Standardized Testing

FairTest: Another Week of Test Resistance and Protests

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
11

This is the weekly update from Bob Schaeffer of FairTest, covering testing news from around the nation. While parents and teachers loudly say “Enough is enough,” the key figures in Congress and the Obama administration collaborate to impose another seven years of high-stakes testing on the narion’s children. They seem determined to crush the spirits if children and educators. They don’t hear their constituents. Who are they listening to?

Schaeffer writes:

This week’s news stories and opinion columns — from more than half the 50 states — demonstrate the rapidly growing breadth and depth of the U.S. assessment reform movement. As the school testing season draws near, we expect parent and student opt-out campaigns, teacher boycotts, community teach-ins, demonstrations, school board resolutions, and legislative hearings will escalate pressure on policy-makers to roll back widespread misuse and overuse of standardized exams. As always, please feel free to call on FairTest for assistance.

Add Your Voice — Write Congress Now — Demand Less Testing, No High Stakes
http://fairtest.org/roll-back-standardized-testing-send-letter-congres

Don’t Leave the Questioning Child Behind By Renewing NCLB’s Annual Testing Mandate
http://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/02/06/leave-questioning-child-behind-nclb/22974207/

Could Local Tests Be the Way Forward in NCLB Debate?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/02/could_local_tests_be_the_way_f.html

Alaska School Counselors Decry Toll From Over-Testing
http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2015-02-03-2

Arizona Legislature Advances Bill to Eliminate Grad. Test Requirement
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/state-and-regional/aims-test-bill-advances/article_cfc3877f-c711-51d1-8963-e61b55a7cdb4.html

California Seeks Exemption from “No Child” Test Score Requirements

State seeking No Child Left Behind exemption again

Colorado State School Board Votes to Support Testing Cutback
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/vote-aims-8232to-reduce-8232student-8232testing/

PARRC Won’t Solve Colorado Schools’ Testing Problem
http://www.denverpost.com/voices/ci_27468887/colorado-voices-parcc-wont-solve-our-testing-problems

Connecticut Students Ask School Board to Help Fight Standardized Tests
http://www.theridgefieldpress.com/41149/students-ask-board-to-help-battle-tests/

Superintendents Tell Governor: Freeze Florida School Grades, Eliminate Some Tests
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-superintendents-governor-school-grades-testing-post.html

Florida Teachers Plan to Protest Jeb Bush’s “Education Summit”
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/florida-teachers-plan-to-protest-jeb-bushs-education-summit/2216158

Federal, State “Ed Reform” Policies Make Georgia Schools Worse, Not Better
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-02-04/federal-state-education-reform-policies-are-making-schools-worse-not-better-says-uga

Georgia Educator’s Plea: Reduce Testing to Increase Teaching Time
http://getschooled.blog.ajc.com/2015/02/10/a-teachers-plea-to-georgia-lawmakers-lessen-testing-so-we-can-return-to-teaching/

Illinois Drops Federally Mandated Science Exams
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-no-science-test-met-20150205-story.html

Illinois Supers Urge PARCC Testing Delay: Technology Not Ready for Fair Administration
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/06/superintendents-urge-common-core-testing-delay-how-can-test-data-be-valid-under-testing-conditions-like-this/

Indiana Parents and Educators Express Concerns About Length and Pressure of State-Mandated Tests
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/parents-and-school-officials-express-concerns-over-length-of-istep-test/31098428

PARCC Testing Upsets Louisiana Parents, Students and Teachers
http://710keel.com/242265/

Maine Will Examine Problems with New Online Testing System
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2015/02/04/commissioner-state-will-look-lewiston-online-testing-concerns/1651405

Western Massachusetts Ed Leaders Coalition Protests Exam Mandates
http://www.iberkshires.com/story/48448/North-Adams-School-Officials-Back-Coalition-Protesting-Mandates-Testing.html

Massachusetts Officials Demonstrate How Not to Respond to Opt Out Requests
http://edushyster.com/?p=6363

Newark Mayor Supports Opting Out From New Jersey State Tests
http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/02/baraka_parcc_test_is_unproven.html

Parents and Teachers Fuel Growing New Jersey Opt-Out Drive
http://www.northjersey.com/news/more-parents-fuel-opt-out-drive-for-nj-test-1.1267895

Legislature, School Districts Scramble to Put New Jersey Opt-Out Policies in Place
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/02/08/legislators-school-districts-scramble-to-put-parcc-policies-in-place/

The Problems With New Mexico’s Tests From a Student Perspective
http://www.taosnews.com/opinion/article_d8b06c80-ad5a-11e4-9e0c-2b23ac7765fb.html

Opt-Out Advocates Get New York City Mayor’s Attention
http://ny.chalkbeat.org/2015/02/03/opt-out-advocates-get-attention-from-citys-most-powerful-couple/#.VNIjxOFLUZw

New York Governor Holds Education Funding Hostage in Demand for More Testing
https://www.longislandexchange.com/press-releases/aqe-on-education-budget-cuomo-is-holding-school-children-hostage-to-politically-motivated-agenda/

Op Ed: North Carolina Can Move Beyond Test-and-Punish Policies
http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/02/04/4530781_moving-beyond-test-and-punish.html?rh=1

North Carolina Educators Criticize School Grading Scheme
http://www.news-record.com/news/schools/official-wary-of-grading-schools/article_fc74d81c-ac16-11e4-a769-b384d49dbb99.html

Ohio Parents Planning to Opt Out of Common Core Testing
http://www.fox45now.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wrgt_vid_24611.shtml

Ohio Teacher Implores School Board to Curb Testing
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2015/02/05/teacher-implores-elyria-board-curb-testing/

Responding to Pressure, Oklahoma Super Eliminates Writing Field Test

Superintendent nixes writing field tests ‘to relieve excessive testing’ for Oklahoma students

Education Panel’s Recommendations Could Shake Up Oregon Testing
http://www.opb.org/news/article/education-panels-proposal-could-shake-up-testing-in-oregon-schools/

Oregon Ed. Chief Endorses One-Year “Pass” on Test-Based School Ratings
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_chief_education_officer_3.html

Research Indicates Pennsylvania School Accountability Measure is Inaccurate
http://news.psu.edu/story/343536/2015/02/04/research/research-suggests-school-accountability-measure-inaccurate

Teacher Quits to Protest Pennsylvania’s Excessive School Testing
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/l-s-teacher-quits-over-standardized-testing-says-leaving-breaks/article_9e83c0f2-ae31-11e4-8543-0bc4ff61bc24.html

Tennessee Education Association Sues to Stop Test-Based “Value Added” Teacher Evaluations
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/my-kid-my-school/tea-sues-over-teacher-evaluations_05129342

Confusion Abounds Over Utah’s Test Opt-Out Rules
http://www.standard.net/Education/2015/02/07/State-law-about-opting-out-of-tests-clarified.html

Principal Urges Virginia Policymakers to Drop A – F School Grades
http://www.tricities.com/news/article_fac8de16-aceb-11e4-8c9c-c34037829869.html

Washington State Legislators Debate Graduation Exam Repeal Bills
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/03/3621756_no-tests-required-for-high-school.html?rh=1
Teachers Threaten to Boycott Washington State Common Core Tests
http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/290844991.html#

Technical Problems Force Wisconsin to Scale Back Computerized Tests
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/wisconsin-students-will-take-scaled-back-common-core-aligned-tests/article_c82a4638-7c30-5c5b-a88c-870f1bb7c496.html

Wyoming Senate Gives Initial Approval to Assessment Overhaul Legislation
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-senate-approves-first-reading-of-school-testing-bill/article_7b690154-4316-57c2-87c8-9fb9cd1c39ee.html

Major National Ed. Group Calls for Two-Year Moratorium on Using Test Scores for Teacher, School Evaluation
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/ed-group-wants-halt-high-stakes-testing-evaluations

Ten Things You Need to Know About International Assessments
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/03/ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-international-assessments/

“Beyond Measure” — Support Production of a New Film About Educational Transformation by the “Race to Nowhere” Team

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 fax- (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org

This week’s news stories and opinion columns — from more than half the 50 states — demonstrate the rapidly growing breadth and depth of the U.S. assessment reform movement. As the school testing season draws near, we expect parent and student opt-out campaigns, teacher boycotts, community teach-ins, demonstrations, school board resolutions, and legislative hearings will escalate pressure on policy-makers to roll back widespread misuse and overuse of standardized exams. As always, please feel free to call on FairTest for assistance.

Add Your Voice — Write Congress Now — Demand Less Testing, No High Stakes
http://fairtest.org/roll-back-standardized-testing-send-letter-congres

Don’t Leave the Questioning Child Behind By Renewing NCLB’s Annual Testing Mandate
http://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/02/06/leave-questioning-child-behind-nclb/22974207/
Could Local Tests Be the Way Forward in NCLB Debate?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/02/could_local_tests_be_the_way_f.html

Alaska School Counselors Decry Toll From Over-Testing
http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2015-02-03-2

Arizona Legislature Advances Bill to Eliminate Grad. Test Requirement
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/state-and-regional/aims-test-bill-advances/article_cfc3877f-c711-51d1-8963-e61b55a7cdb4.html

California Seeks Exemption from “No Child” Test Score Requirements

State seeking No Child Left Behind exemption again

Colorado State School Board Votes to Support Testing Cutback
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/vote-aims-8232to-reduce-8232student-8232testing/
PARRC Won’t Solve Colorado Schools’ Testing Problem
http://www.denverpost.com/voices/ci_27468887/colorado-voices-parcc-wont-solve-our-testing-problems

Connecticut Students Ask School Board to Help Fight Standardized Tests
http://www.theridgefieldpress.com/41149/students-ask-board-to-help-battle-tests/

Superintendents Tell Governor: Freeze Florida School Grades, Eliminate Some Tests
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-superintendents-governor-school-grades-testing-post.html
Florida Teachers Plan to Protest Jeb Bush’s “Education Summit”
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/florida-teachers-plan-to-protest-jeb-bushs-education-summit/2216158

Federal, State “Ed Reform” Policies Make Georgia Schools Worse, Not Better
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-02-04/federal-state-education-reform-policies-are-making-schools-worse-not-better-says-uga
Georgia Educator’s Plea: Reduce Testing to Increase Teaching Time
http://getschooled.blog.ajc.com/2015/02/10/a-teachers-plea-to-georgia-lawmakers-lessen-testing-so-we-can-return-to-teaching/

Illinois Drops Federally Mandated Science Exams
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-no-science-test-met-20150205-story.html
Illinois Supers Urge PARCC Testing Delay: Technology Not Ready for Fair Administration
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/06/superintendents-urge-common-core-testing-delay-how-can-test-data-be-valid-under-testing-conditions-like-this/

Indiana Parents and Educators Express Concerns About Length and Pressure of State-Mandated Tests
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/parents-and-school-officials-express-concerns-over-length-of-istep-test/31098428

PARCC Testing Upsets Louisiana Parents, Students and Teachers
http://710keel.com/242265/

Maine Will Examine Problems with New Online Testing System
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2015/02/04/commissioner-state-will-look-lewiston-online-testing-concerns/1651405

Western Massachusetts Ed Leaders Coalition Protests Exam Mandates
http://www.iberkshires.com/story/48448/North-Adams-School-Officials-Back-Coalition-Protesting-Mandates-Testing.html
Massachusetts Officials Demonstrate How Not to Respond to Opt Out Requests
http://edushyster.com/?p=6363

Newark Mayor Supports Opting Out From New Jersey State Tests
http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/02/baraka_parcc_test_is_unproven.html
Parents and Teachers Fuel Growing New Jersey Opt-Out Drive
http://www.northjersey.com/news/more-parents-fuel-opt-out-drive-for-nj-test-1.1267895
Legislature, School Districts Scramble to Put New Jersey Opt-Out Policies in Place
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/02/08/legislators-school-districts-scramble-to-put-parcc-policies-in-place/

The Problems With New Mexico’s Tests From a Student Perspective
http://www.taosnews.com/opinion/article_d8b06c80-ad5a-11e4-9e0c-2b23ac7765fb.html

Opt-Out Advocates Get New York City Mayor’s Attention
http://ny.chalkbeat.org/2015/02/03/opt-out-advocates-get-attention-from-citys-most-powerful-couple/#.VNIjxOFLUZw
New York Governor Holds Education Funding Hostage in Demand for More Testing
https://www.longislandexchange.com/press-releases/aqe-on-education-budget-cuomo-is-holding-school-children-hostage-to-politically-motivated-agenda/

Op Ed: North Carolina Can Move Beyond Test-and-Punish Policies
http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/02/04/4530781_moving-beyond-test-and-punish.html?rh=1
North Carolina Educators Criticize School Grading Scheme
http://www.news-record.com/news/schools/official-wary-of-grading-schools/article_fc74d81c-ac16-11e4-a769-b384d49dbb99.html

Ohio Parents Planning to Opt Out of Common Core Testing
http://www.fox45now.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wrgt_vid_24611.shtml
Ohio Teacher Implores School Board to Curb Testing
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2015/02/05/teacher-implores-elyria-board-curb-testing/

Responding to Pressure, Oklahoma Super Eliminates Writing Field Test

Superintendent nixes writing field tests ‘to relieve excessive testing’ for Oklahoma students

Education Panel’s Recommendations Could Shake Up Oregon Testing
http://www.opb.org/news/article/education-panels-proposal-could-shake-up-testing-in-oregon-schools/
Oregon Ed. Chief Endorses One-Year “Pass” on Test-Based School Ratings
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_chief_education_officer_3.html

Research Indicates Pennsylvania School Accountability Measure is Inaccurate
http://news.psu.edu/story/343536/2015/02/04/research/research-suggests-school-accountability-measure-inaccurate
Teacher Quits to Protest Pennsylvania’s Excessive School Testing
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/l-s-teacher-quits-over-standardized-testing-says-leaving-breaks/article_9e83c0f2-ae31-11e4-8543-0bc4ff61bc24.html

Tennessee Education Association Sues to Stop Test-Based “Value Added” Teacher Evaluations
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/my-kid-my-school/tea-sues-over-teacher-evaluations_05129342

Confusion Abounds Over Utah’s Test Opt-Out Rules
http://www.standard.net/Education/2015/02/07/State-law-about-opting-out-of-tests-clarified.html

Principal Urges Virginia Policymakers to Drop A – F School Grades
http://www.tricities.com/news/article_fac8de16-aceb-11e4-8c9c-c34037829869.html

Washington State Legislators Debate Graduation Exam Repeal Bills
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/03/3621756_no-tests-required-for-high-school.html?rh=1
Teachers Threaten to Boycott Washington State Common Core Tests
http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/290844991.html#

Technical Problems Force Wisconsin to Scale Back Computerized Tests
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/wisconsin-students-will-take-scaled-back-common-core-aligned-tests/article_c82a4638-7c30-5c5b-a88c-870f1bb7c496.html

Wyoming Senate Gives Initial Approval to Assessment Overhaul Legislation
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-senate-approves-first-reading-of-school-testing-bill/article_7b690154-4316-57c2-87c8-9fb9cd1c39ee.html

Major National Ed. Group Calls for Two-Year Moratorium on Using Test Scores for Teacher, School Evaluation
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/ed-group-wants-halt-high-stakes-testing-evaluations

Ten Things You Need to Know About International Assessments
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/03/ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-international-assessments/

“Beyond Measure” — Support Production of a New Film About Educational Transformation by the “Race to Nowhere” Team

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 fax- (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org

Categories Resistance, Testing

Which Schools in NYC Educate Students with Low Needs or High Needs?

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
8

The New York City United Federation of Teachers used public data to investigate which schools enroll students with low needs or high needs. The analysis compares charter schools and public schools in the same district.

 

If you scan through the graphs, you will soon see a pattern. There are a few charters that enroll larger-than-average numbers of students with high needs, but most fall to the right of the distribution.

 

 

Categories Charter Schools, New York City

A Conservative Critique of NCLB Reauthorization

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
13

This is a statement by a group of conservative policy analysts, critiquing Republican efforts to rewrite No Child Left Behind. Their major complaint is that the current bills preserve federal control of education. They want states to make the decisions about when and how often students should be tested. They want the new law to say definitively that the federal government must not interfere with curriculum.

Being conservatives, they want Title I to be portable to promote school choice. They want to eliminate mandates and competitive grant programs.

Read it for yourself.

Arne Duncan seems to have united right and left in wanting to curtail the role of the federal government, though for different reasons. I want federal money to go to public schools. But I agree that the testing mandates and sanctions should be abandoned. When to test and how often to test should be a state function.

Categories NCLB (No Child Left Behind), Testing, U.S. Department of Education

Nick Tampio: Why We Are Opting Out

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
8

Nicholas Tampio, a professor at Fordham University, explains why his children will not take the state tests.

“Our family is refusing the Common Core state tests in the spring. We refuse the tests because they weaken local control of the schools, pressure teachers to use a flawed pedagogy and facilitate a collection of data that may harm teachers and students….

“To be clear, we see a valuable role for the federal government and disapprove of certain educational policies adopted by states in the past. But that is no reason to abandon America’s historical commitment to the principle of local control of schools. Educators and parents in our district have more knowledge of, and investment in, our students than do foundations or the federal government.

“Our Westchester school district has been thriving—with the vast majority of graduates going to four-year colleges, including some of the finest in the country. It makes no sense for our district’s students to be guinea pigs in a poorly conceived experiment….”

“To be clear, we see a valuable role for the federal government and disapprove of certain educational policies adopted by states in the past. But that is no reason to abandon America’s historical commitment to the principle of local control of schools. Educators and parents in our district have more knowledge of, and investment in, our students than do foundations or the federal government.
Our Westchester school district has been thriving—with the vast majority of graduates going to four-year colleges, including some of the finest in the country. It makes no sense for our district’s students to be guinea pigs in a poorly conceived experiment.”

Categories Common Core, Opt Out, Testing

Is Chris Christie For or Against Common Core–or Both?

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
16

In Iowa, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey expressed “grave concerns” about the Common Core standards, especially that they are being tied to federal funds.

 

Christie told a group of Republicans in West Des Moines on Monday that Common Core ain’t what it used to be. He blamed federal strings and money attached to the program. It’s another checkmark on the scorecard of Christie’s conservative credentials.

 

But at home in New Jersey, implementation of the same standards is full speed ahead.

 

Christie created a commission to review the Common Core testing (PARCC), and parents and teachers have turned out in large numbers to express their opposition to PARCC in public hearings.

 

But Christie has done nothing to abandon the Common Core standards or the testing, despite the “grave concerns” expressed to voters in Iowa.

Categories Common Core, New Jersey, Testing

Peter Greene Answers Mike Petrilli’s 9 Questions About Common Core

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
19

Peter Greene read Mike Petrilli’s challenge: Mike suggested nine (or more) questions that should be asked of any Republicans who oppose Common Core. Mike and the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute are zealous advocates for Common Core.

Here are Peter’s answers to Mike’s questions.

Peter begins by remarking on Mike’s debating style:

“This is one of the things I find vaguely charming about Petrilli– he seems like that overeager kid on the debate team who enjoys making a verbal jousting match over anything from the death penalty to the correct side on which the loose end of the toilet paper should hang. Political advocacy/thinky tankery seems like his dream job.”

But on to the questions, which I will excerpt. Open the link to read the other five questions and answers.

“1) Do you mean that you oppose the Common Core standards themselves? All of them? Even the ones related to addition and subtraction? Phonics? Studying the nation’s founding documents? Or just some of them? Which ones, in particular, do you oppose? Have you actually read the standards?

Yeah, when Petrilli says nine questions, he’s being liberal with his use of the traditional counting methods.

I have, of course, read the standards, and the correct question is not to ask exactly which ones I object to. I would ask, instead, why I am supposed to search through all the standards looking for the unobjectionable ones, like hunting a piece of uncooked spaghetti in a stack of needles. I would not hand a teacher a textbook and say, “Some of the pages of this book are good and usable, so keep the whole thing.” I would not serve someone a meal that is part nutritious food, part plastic, and part arsenic. The fact that some standards are unobjectionable does not mean the whole thing shouldn’t be thrown out.

2) Or do you mean that you oppose the role that the federal government played in coercing states to adopt the Common Core?

Well, yes. That and the role it continues to play. Petrilli suggests that doesn’t make a GOP candidate special among other GOP candidates. So be it. It’s better to be right than to be special.

3) Do you mean that you think states should drop out of the Common Core? States like Iowa? Isn’t that a bit presumptive, considering that you’re not from Iowa and the state’s Republican governor wants Common Core to stay?

This is not so much a question as a dare. Go ahead, it says. Go ahead and declare yourself in favor of setting aside the will of the state. The correct answer is, of course, that Iowa has the right to be a damn fool if it wants to, but that doesn’t make it any less foolish, and any sensible person would offer the opinion that Iowa ought to stop being foolish.

4) If you do think that states should reject the Common Core, which standards should replace them? Do they need to be entirely different, or just a little bit different? And could you cite a specific example of a standard that needs to be “different?”

Let’s back up the assumption truck, and let me hear your support for the idea that national-ish standards are necessary or in any way useful. Which highly successful nations on the globe are successful because of national standards? Which studies show the value of national standards? Because I think the states should get rid of the standards, period. But if the state thinks they need standards, they can best design them from the ground floor up. The Common Core does not need to be (nor should it be) a rough draft, and there is no need to compare future hypothetical standards to it. If your brother gets divorced, and then remarried, you do not go to Thanksgiving dinner and ask for an accounting of how different his new wife is from his previous one.”

Categories Common Core, Republicans

Why Most Students Will “Fail” PARCC Test

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
60

G. F. Brandenburg alerted me to this very troubling analysis by Russ Walsh of the reading levels in the PARCC test.

Brandenburg titled his post:

“Looks like the reading levels of the new PARCC were deliberately set so high that most students will give up.”

Russ Walsh scrutinized reading passages from the PARCC test for grades 3-8 to determine their readability and appropriateness for each grade level. He used five different measures if readability.

He writes:

“Since readability formulas are notably unreliable, I first decided to use several different readability measures to see if I could get a closer approximation of level. The measures I use are all commonly used in assessing readability. All of them use two variables, with slight variations, to determine readability: word length and sentence length. They vary slightly in the weights they give these variables and in how these variables are determined.

The readability formulas I used were the Fry Readability Graph (Fry), the Raygor Readability Graph (RR), the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Tests(FK), the Flesch Reading Ease test (FRE) and Lexile Framework for Reading.The Fry, Raygor and Flesch-Kincaid formulas yield a grade level readability estimate. The Flesch Reading Ease test provides an estimate of the “ease of reading” of a passage based on a child’s age. Lexile measures are the preferred readability measure of the whole corporate education reform movement behind the Common Core and PA,RCC so it must be included here as well. According to the Lexile Framework website “Lexile measures are the gold standard for college and career readiness.”

After reviewing the outcome of his analysis, Walsh concludes:

“Conclusions: The stated purpose of the Common Core State Standards and the aligned PARCC test was to “raise the bar” based on the notion that in order to be “college and career ready” students needed to be reading more complex text starting in their earliest school years. The PARCC sample tests show that they have certainly raised the bar when it comes to making reading comprehension passages quite difficult at every grade level.

“These results clearly show that even by the altered Lexile level standard the 4th grade passage is much too difficult for 4th grade children. I would hope that the actual PARCC would not include any material remotely like this over-reaching level of challenge for children. I would hope, but the inclusion of this passage in the sample does not give me confidence.

“The other results show that the passages chosen are about two grade levels above the readability of the grade and age of the children by measures other than the Lexile level. The results of testing children on these passages will be quite predictable. Students will score lower on the tests than on previous tests. We have already seen this in New York where test scores plummeted when the new tests were given last year. English Language Learners (ELL) and students with disabilities will be particularly hard hit because these tests will prove extraordinarily difficult to them.

“What happens when students are asked to read very difficult text? For those students who find the text challenging, but doable, they will redouble their efforts to figure it out. For the majority of children, however, who find the text at their frustration level, they may well give up. That is what frustration level in reading means. The ideal reading comprehension assessment passage will be easy for some, just right for most and challenging for some. The PARCC passages are likely to be very, very challenging for most.”

Brandenburg says of Walsh’s findings:

“Many analysts say that mass failure is precisely the goal of the people who designed the Common Core tests: if they define “mastery” as reading and doing math two grades above current grade level, then by definition all but a tiny fraction of students will fail, and these “experts” can proclaim that public education is a failure and must be abolished.

“It’s an evil plan worthy of an evil genius.”

Categories Common Core, Testing

San Diego School Board Votes 5-0 to End Annual Testing in NCLB

By dianeravitch
February 12, 2015 //
11

The school board of the San Diego Unified School District voted 5-0 to urge Congress to eliminate the federal mandate of annual testing, Read their full statement below.

 

Remember that one of the crucial elements in the grassroots movement to roll back the tide of high-stakes testing started in Texas, when school board after school board voted to oppose high-stakes testing, and eventually more than 80% of the state’s school boards voted against high-stakes testing. The legislature heard the voters, and pulled back from a proposal to require 15 tests for high school graduation.

 

This is how a movement grows. Congress is rewriting NCLB as you read this. It is said to be on a fast-track for reauthorization in both the Senate and the House. Almost all the D.C.-based interest groups have joined to demand that YOUR children and YOUR students be tested annually. The best way to stop this out-of-control train of failed policies is to organize, speak up, speak out, demonstrate. Urge your school board to adopt a resolution akin to the one passed unanimously in San Diego. Visit the offices of Senator Patty Murray, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Al Franken, and all the Congressmen and Senators who are about to pass legislation keeping NCLB intact for another seven years. Make your voice heard.

 

The resolution adopted by the school board of the San Diego Unified School District on February 10:

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF SUPPORT

TO REMOVE THE ANNUAL TESTING REQUIREMENT FROM THE ELEMENTARY

AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT (ESEA)

AND MAKE OTHER MODIFICATIONS AS CONGRESS CONSIDERS REAUTHORIZATION OF ESEA (NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND) )
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001,” was due for reauthorization in 2007, and the U.S. Congress has not reached a bipartisan agreement that will ensure passage to streamline existing federal requirements and allow states and local educational agencies to develop and implement policies that will best support students; and
WHEREAS, there are several significant aspects of ESEA that should be amended during the Act’s reauthorization, including the elimination of sanctions and unintended consequences; granting states and local educational agencies greater local flexibility; the elimination of federally mandated, annual standardized testing; and maintaining provisions of ESEA that support its original intent of supporting students with the greatest needs; and
WHEREAS, the nation’s future, social well-being and economic competitiveness relies on a high- quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship, and lifelong learning; and
WHEREAS, the over-reliance on high-stakes standardized testing in state and federal accountability systems is undermining educational quality and equity in U.S. public schools by hampering educators’ efforts to focus on the broad range of learning experiences that promote the innovation, creativity, problem solving, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and deep subject-matter knowledge that will allow students to contribute and thrive in a democracy and an increasingly global society and economy; and
WHEREAS, it is widely recognized that high-stakes standardized testing is an inadequate and often unreliable measure of both student learning and educator effectiveness, and the over-reliance on standardized testing has caused considerable collateral damage in many schools, including narrowing the curriculum, teaching to the test, reducing student’s love of learning, pushing students out of school, driving teachers out of the profession, and undermining school climate; and
WHEREAS, the San Diego Unified Vision 2020, long-term strategic plan, Quality Schools in Every Neighborhood, supports and provides for quality teaching, access to broad and challenging curriculum for all students, closing the achievement gap with high expectations for all, and is committed to using multiple formative measures of success that go beyond standardized achievement tests; and
WHEREAS, the ESEA Discussion Draft repeals the long-standing Title I Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and the Title IX General Provisions MOE requirement, and without them, state and local education funding could be lowered by states with no consequences to the state’s ongoing receipt of federal aid; and
WHEREAS, the ESEA Discussion Draft freezes funding for reauthorized programs for Fiscal Year 2016 through Fiscal Year 2021, eroding the investment of federal funding for public education that would result in reductions in services to student subgroups that require additional investments and support systems, including low-income, English learners, and students of color; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District calls on the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as the “No Child Left Behind Act,” eliminate the federally- mandated, annual testing requirement in each of Grades 3 through 9, and at least once in Grades 9 through 12; promote multiple forms of evidence of student learning and school quality in accountability; and not mandate any fixed role for the use of student test scores in evaluating educators; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District calls on the U.S. Congress to reinstate the current Maintenance of Effort requirements in ESEA to protect the integrity and benefits of federal ESEA programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District supports a ESEA reauthorization bill that provides states and local educational agencies with additional flexibility to design their own accountability systems, including how states identify schools that are under-performing and determine appropriate interventions or technical assistance to support student growth and achievement, and support the use of multiple measures and growth models of academic achievement that reflect a well-rounded education necessary for success in the 21st century; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District supports a ESEA reauthorization bill that provides school districts the flexibility and resources needed to respond to the educational challenges in local communities, and provides greater local flexibility in the use of ESEA funding for Titles I, II and III as states and school districts are in the best position to make spending decisions to facilitate local innovation and student achievement, without placing undue burdens on districts that would adversely impact effective governance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District supports an ESEA reauthorization bill that eliminates the inflexible sanctions and prescriptive actions that currently result in more schools being identified as Program Improvement if one or more student subgroup misses Annual Yearly Progress, as without the sanctions, districts would have more flexibility to use Title I funds to develop and/or implement programs and services that have evidence of improving student outcomes and advancing academic progress of all student subgroups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District calls on the U.S. Congress to remove the funding freeze for reauthorized ESEA programs that would severely cut services over the next six years, and urges the passage of a modernized version of ESEA that is fully supported by federal investments in Title I, which has been woefully underfunded for decades.
Adopted and approved by the Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District at the regular meeting held on the 10th day of February 2015.

Categories Education Industry, NCLB (No Child Left Behind), Resistance, Testing

New Jersey Parent: The Movement is Growing

By dianeravitch
February 11, 2015 //
16

New Jersey parent and blogger Sarah Blaine (parentingthecore) describes the test rebellion brewing in her state:

“I have been so proud of my state ever since the January 7, 2015 State Board of Education open public comment period. We filled 4 rooms of testimony (in two buildings) that day. Almost 100 people spoke out against the PARCC, and that was just the tip of the iceberg.

“Trenton set the spark, and the press jumped on the bandwagon. We’ve had stories (that I’ve seen) about the PARCC refusal movement in The Star Ledger, on CBS News, in The Asbury Park Press, in The Alternative Press, in countless local papers, and the best TV coverage I’ve personally seen is this NJ Public Television/PBS-13 piece from earlier this week (and not just because I am interviewed in it via a terrible Skype connection to my iPad) http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/legislation-addresses-parcc-test-controvery/ .

“Our Opt Out of State Standardized Tests – New Jersey Facebook page has grown from about 2,700 prior to the January 7th meeting in Trenton to 7,443 as of this writing.

“At the Jersey City meeting of the Governor’s PARCC Study Commission on January 28th, I watched parents, teachers, and even a Superintendent stand up, one after another, to speak intelligently, thoughtfully, and passionately about the problems the PARCC tests are causing at our schools. That generated more press coverage.

“And then the following night in Jackson, NJ, even more parents and teachers spoke out against the tests. As I understand it, the testimony that night lasted for well over 5 hours (plus 4 hours in Jersey City the night before).

“Tomorrow, as noted above, the state assembly’s education committee is hearing public testimony regarding three bills: A-4165 (enshrining parents’ opt-out rights in law, which is up for discussion only, unfortunately), A-4190 (preventing any graduation, placement, or other academic decisions to be made for students based on PARCC results for the next three years), and A3079 (prohibiting all standardized testing in grades K-2).

“Take the PARCC events and screenings of Standardized have been popping up all over the state. We have more than 20 local “Cares About Schools” type groups scattered through our towns now. A grassroots group is even working on a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $4,000 of the $8,000 needed to fund three Choose to Refuse the PARCC billboards.

“It’s been amazing to be a part of this movement, and I am so proud of my fellow citizens for standing up for public education. I was particularly proud of my local Board of Education this week, which passed (by a vote of 6-0) a resolution requiring all of our schools to offer educationally appropriate alternatives to kids whose parents refuse to allow them to test.

“But we’ve still got a long way to go.

“We’ve got to get those NJ assembly bills passed into law. We need to make sure that as a country, we do what it takes to ensure that the ESEA re-authorization doesn’t codify problematic education policy into law for years to come. And we need to plan a better future for our kids — one that values real learning and education in all subject areas over standardized test scores.

“My local school district announced on Monday night that at its PARCC technology trials, 88% of students were able to complete the test. That’s 12% who weren’t able — due entirely to technology issues. The PARCC is a mess, but we parents need to get the word out and turn our small refusal movement into a massive groundswell. Testing starts in less than 3 weeks. The time is now. (Although I do expect our movement to grow exponentially between March and May once parents hear from their kids how awful the first round of tests really area.)

“As a parent, I think the technology idiocy compounds all of the issues, but personally, I’m in this because assigning high-stakes consequences (for schools, teachers, and/or kids) to these tests forces narrowing of the curriculum. I’m speaking out tomorrow about what I’ve seen disappear from my kids’ schools. I urge New Jersey and the rest of the country to do the same. We really can make a difference for our kids. I’m amazed at how much real statewide, grassroots organizing can accomplish. But this is still the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got about a million public school kids in NJ scheduled to take this test, and about 7,000 members of our Opt-Out group.

“We need to grow the numbers further, and show that parents are fed up with what’s happening to our kids’ education.

“We have the power — now we have to convince our neighbors and friends to stop assuming that we can’t change things, and to instead buckle down to make sure we can.”

Categories Common Core, New Jersey, Testing
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