Our friends, Pastors for Texas Children, sends good news that Governor Abbott announced that Texas will waive state testing due to the COVID-19 crisis.
https://www.pastorsfortexaschildren.com/so/00N3a3e_Y?cid=7ceefb64-3104-4ad0-ad1b-c085eb86816c#/main
Today, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he would waive STAAR testing for the 2019-2020 school year, in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
This decision came after community leaders, dozens of school districts, and a courageous group of bipartisan legislators urged the governor to cancel STAAR testing for the year to accommodate teachers and students who face unprecedented challenges in the face of this public health emergency.
Pastors for Texas Children applauds this decision from Governor Abbott. We also affirm Commissioner of Education Mike Morath’s decision to waive regulations that restrict teachers and students. In a time of great need for our state and our nation, these are difficult decisions. Lawmakers must carefully consider best practices to protect the health, safety, and education of our state’s public school children.
“This was the right move,” said Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, PTC’s founder and executive director. “STAAR testing and the A-F accountability system are unnecessary burdens on our state’s children and teachers, putting private profit over the public good. Now is the time for us to consider classroom-based alternatives to STAAR testing year-round, not just in this unprecedented crisis.”
PTC remains concerned about the harmful effects that over-reliance on standardized testing and the A-F accountability system have on our students, and we will continue to work for a Texas that meets the needs of all students, families, and teachers. In this time of crisis and trauma for our children, we urge local churches and faith communities to reach out to their neighborhood public schools to offer assistance and support.
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Pastors for Texas Children is a ministry that serves Texas’ neighborhood public schools through prayer, service, and advocacy. We support our schools by initiating school assistance programs with local congregations, promoting social justice for children, and advancing legislation that puts the needs of Texas children, families, and communities first.
PO Box 471155, Fort Worth, Texas, 76147
AWESOME!!!!
Thank goodness. If only all states would give up their addiction to manic testing! It’s rather sad that the only thing that seems to have been able to even generate a pause (in at least one state) is a worldwide pandemic. Hopefully, the powers that be can dredge up the courage to look at the damage that’s been caused by years of years of reliance on punitive testing policies and the false data they generate. We can hope.
I cannot imagine any legislator in their right mind forcing anyone to conduct state tests this year. If Betsy DeVos had a right mind, the USDoE would have waived the testing requirements for the entire country already. Requiring tests right now is an unjust act of incivility.
Hoarding has become a problem in society, all of a sudden. But billionaires have been hoarding for decades. Using tests to punish public schools has always been inhumane, but right now, it’s beyond oppressive. Their greed-based, inflexible ideology is harmful. Time to stop the stupidity — in every state and every district.
Today is a good day. Every day alive is a good day. I am happy to be here in Diane’s distance living room. Happy to be a teacher on this, the first day of a shutdown, and looking forward to returning to my classroom. I appreciate every breath, and everyone. I hope the members of the Department of Education appreciate the value of what really matters too. Test scores are not it. The scores are worth nothing.
The beach in Clearwater, Flor-uh-duh is packed today with geniuses contracting the virus, spreading the virus. And then they will flood out all over Tampa Bay and the country.
Unfortunately, these morons will hurt a lot more people beyond themselves.
Darwin Awards all around
Pensacola Beach was packed with spring breakers yesterday too. The folly of youth, they believe they are untouchable.
I think this respite from tests is likely to happen in every state because eight weeks is emerging as the recommended length of closure for schools and other facilities.
Also, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association circulated a memo today from Governor Mike DeWine who is asking for help from veterinarians and dentists. DeWine has asked both professional groups to postpone elective surgeries that will not put patients at risk and if posssible to donate excess personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, and goggles to their local Emergency Management Agency for distribution and use in human healthcare. …The state received its personal protective equipment (PPE) from the National Strategic Reserve March 13.
Related:
PET OWNERS. The following link identifies recommendations for your interaction with pets. Please read this authoritative guide if you are a pet owner or have pets in your orbit.
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19
Sometimes disasters work in the 99%’s favor.