Florida’s Democratic leader of the House is urging parents to opt their children out of testing. If other Democrats joined in, there would be a groundswell of support for opting out.
“Florida Rep. Mark Pafford, leader of the House Democrats, is urging parents to consider taking their children out of the annual spring Florida Standards Assessments.
“I hope every parent begins to take the time to understand how serious this issue is,” Pafford said at a recent press availability. “That their children are being subjected to tests that in the end don’t amount to much. That the data that comes from those tests are sometimes shared so late it doesn’t matter.
“And, frankly… you have to question the purpose of these tests, whether they’re being used in the best way for children in advancing the public education system, or whether, in fact, they’re being used to create a bastardized type of education system that’s dependent on the private sector.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
My vote is for him.
What a breath of fresh air.
I hope this good sense spreads.
where can i donate to his campaign
Was this on the road to Damascus,FL ?
LOVE your reply!!!
Brilliant!!
So thy legislators be smitten by the light.
The federal government has the option of punishing districts with high opt out rates by withholding Title I funding.
If those currently holding office vote to withhold funding from disabled children, it will hurt not help their cause. If enough people take action, I don’t think that they would withdraw funding.
It is time to stop fear from clouding our brains. The money that is supposed to be spent to educate all of our children is our money collectively, not individually. Public schools are worth fighting for.
Standing up for the future of our children and our grandchildren sets the example we want to set for the next generation, don’t you think?
Option being the key word.
Pafford would understand the Florida political climate in his role in the House; good for him for standing up for the best interests of the young people. He knows that so many representatives are getting campaign funds from privatization groups. Governor Scott recently announced funding for school capital funds; charters and public schools received an EQUAL amount. Since the vast majority of students attend public schools, this is another slap in the face to public education.
I saw that. I read this piece:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article54167355.html
What sticks out for me is not the inequitable funding. It’s that none of the ed reformers in the state legislature offer ANYTHING positive to kids in existing public schools. Nothing. It’s all what charters need, want, desire, all the time.
I’m struck by it in almost every ed reform “debate” I read. This is a movement” that offers nothing positive to kids in public schools and the politicians don’t even notice the omission.
It’s always a net loss for kids in public schools and the adults seem oblivious to it.
I live in FL but Mr. Pafford is not my representative but if I could I would vote for him. Our state is just one of the ones ruined by the privateers and I hope his support from parents continues to grow. Not proud to say that Jeb! is from Florida.
Acting Secretary King seems identical to what we’ve seen the last 15 years out of DC:
http://hechingerreport.org/acting-u-s-secretary-of-education-speaks-out-in-a-state-where-anti-testing-backlash-looms/
Testing and charters, testing and charters, testing and charters.
If you’re a public school parent the “charter” promotion doesn’t apply so all you hear is testing, because that’s all they’re offering.
Chiara, you read Dr. King correctly, which is why he was so unpopular in New York state and had to leave. Parents couldn’t communicate with him.
…but they did manage to excommunicate him.