Let's hear from the other side...

I really hadn't seen much arguing for high-stakes testing before reading an article on The Press Democrat. The author, Michelle Rhee, states that tests are important tools used to assess students.  Who can disagree with that? Of course, there has to be something which evaluates progress and holds students and teachers accountable. But at what cost? I think what Michelle overlooks is the pressure being placed on teachers and students to perform well on these tests created by business-people--instead of the professionals trained to teach and evaluate our youth.

I don't think anyone who fights against high-stakes testing goal is to "dumb" down our educational system as depicted in the above cartoon. That certainly wouldn't help anyone.

Read the article. Make up your own mind. But don't overlook the comments section.
Here's the link. Article by Michelle Rhee/Photo Credit

*What high stakes tests can not measure*

Just read a very interesting blog entry by Bob Simpson. I found the section on "What high stakes tests cannot measure" to be particularly moving.
 Here's a quote- " It’s amazing how even pre-k’s and kindergartners can focus on tasks that inspire them without the intervention of high stakes testing. That kind of rigorous intensity comes from the human interaction of students and teachers in a collaborative classroom environment."
Definitely check this out-- Bob Simpson's Blog/Photo Credit

In addition to many others, he also states the importance of creativity which these tests can not possibly address or evaluate. There should be so much more to education than "rigor" and "grit," As the comic above pokes fun at, there is really no profession that would benefit from the one-sided education so many students are receiving today.

How can we help?

 
I read a blog post today on philly.com that recommends attending local school board meetings and voicing concerns. We need to stand up together for a change.

      "If we don’t do it now, we’ll all pay dearly for it later, and the cost will be much    more than just money - it will be our future and the future of our country."

Link to article and photo

If we don’t do it now, we’ll all pay dearly for it later, and the cost will be much more than just money - it will be our future and the future of our country.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Is-high-stakes-testing-bad-for-my-child.html#XljmCiP8yhVbrwvc.99

If we don’t do it now, we’ll all pay dearly for it later, and the cost will be much more than just money - it will be our future and the future of our country.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Is-high-stakes-testing-bad-for-my-child.html#XljmCiP8yhVbrwvc.99

Not on the Test

Picture Credit

All students deserve to see an end to high-stakes testing!

Well, I just read this article and it was really getting my hopes up. The beginning of the end of FCAT for Florida students! However, the Florida Department of Education has hired some other testing company to continue all that was wrong with the FCAT. We need to fight for Florida and all students. They deserve a better education!

Here's the article-- http://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/04/15/letter-end-high-stakes-tests-florida-schools/7745059/

Let's teach kids to think outside of the box- Not fill in circles

Photo credit- http://parentsacrossamerica.org/part-2-high-stakes-testing-types-tests/

Brooklyn Teachers Push Back

Read this moving resolution signed by teachers of a Brooklyn school.
Brooklyn Teachers Push Back

This is my favorite part-
"When used correctly, we believe that assessment is a powerful tool. At PS 29, we constantly assess our students, collecting meaningful data that informs our day-to-day instruction. Unlike the high-stakes tests, our assessments improve the education we provide."
What other reason should there be for assessment?

When I was in elementary school, we took these national standardized tests to see how we compared with the rest of the country. And that was it. It didn't have any impact on our grades or placement for the following year. That was the teacher's job.

It has got to stop!

8 Ways to Fight High-Stakes Testing

http://fairtest.org/8-ways-to-fight-infographic

Expelling students who may not score so well...

I just read an article that summarized a couple of studies done by Arizona State College and Boston College. Something that really struck a cord with me was a statistic regarding higher occurrence of expulsions in states with high stakes testing. Could this be a way that schools are ridding themselves of those students who may drag their scores down?
An interesting read- Check it out.
http://www.fairtest.org/reports-high-stakes-testing-hurts-education