Randi Calls for a Moratorium on High Stakes for Common Core Tests
This morning I went to hear Randi Weingarten speak to a major group of business and civic leaders in New York City. Present also were the state’s education leaders, including Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch as well as College Board President (and Common Core architect) David Coleman.
Randi praised the Common Core as the most important innovation in education in our generation, but warned that it would fail unless there is time and support for proper implementation: professional development, curriculum, materials, collaboration, field testing, etc.
New York State and City plunged right into testing without adequate preparation. Randi predicted that Common Core was doomed unless there was enough time to do it right. She urged the importance of a field test. She suggested to the business leaders that none of them would roll out a new product without field testing.
The leaders with the power to make Randi’s proposal into reality were in the room. Let’s see what they do now.
Randi praised the Common Core as the most important innovation in education in our generation, but warned that it would fail unless there is time and support for proper implementation: professional development, curriculum, materials, collaboration, field testing, etc.
New York State and City plunged right into testing without adequate preparation. Randi predicted that Common Core was doomed unless there was enough time to do it right. She urged the importance of a field test. She suggested to the business leaders that none of them would roll out a new product without field testing.
The leaders with the power to make Randi’s proposal into reality were in the room. Let’s see what they do now.
McGill on Testing: Preparing Kids for the 1950s
Michael McGill is superintendent of schools in Scarsdale, Ne York, one of the nation’s most affluent districts. It has an excellent school system. Its students go to fine colleges. Yet even Scarsdale must submit to the half-brained testing and evaluation strategies dreamed up by non-educators and educators with minimal experience.
McGill is an articulate and wise leader. Here are his thoughts on the current situation, where he sees signs of
McGill is an articulate and wise leader. Here are his thoughts on the current situation, where he sees signs of
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Standardized Testing in Texas
This is a long and fact-filled story about the rise and possible fall of the testing industry in Texas.
I am quoted near the end, and there is one statement that I need to correct.
I explained to the journalist that schools had changed a lot since I was a student in Houston public schools.
Back in what people think were the “good old days,” the schools were racially segregated (for some reason,
I am quoted near the end, and there is one statement that I need to correct.
I explained to the journalist that schools had changed a lot since I was a student in Houston public schools.
Back in what people think were the “good old days,” the schools were racially segregated (for some reason,
Boston Teacher: Why I Quit, Why I Fight
This comment was posted by a teacher in Boston who couldn’t tolerate what was happening to her school, her students, her profession.
She writes:
“Dear Dr. Ravitch,
I am a newly-resigned, 15-year veteran in the Boston Public Schools.
I had to get out; I spent years obsessing over the internet trying to make sense of what was happening & why I
She writes:
“Dear Dr. Ravitch,
I am a newly-resigned, 15-year veteran in the Boston Public Schools.
I had to get out; I spent years obsessing over the internet trying to make sense of what was happening & why I
The Moms That Stopped the Testing Beast in Texas
Anytime you are tempted to think that informed citizens can’t stop the corporate reform machine, think of TAMSA.
Their organization, persistence, and intelligence has brought down the testing movement in Texas.
They are the Angry Moms of Texas.
TAMSA stands for Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment. But many in the media think of them
Their organization, persistence, and intelligence has brought down the testing movement in Texas.
They are the Angry Moms of Texas.
TAMSA stands for Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment. But many in the media think of them
Louisiana, Awash in Lies, Stonewalling, and Lawsuits
Since Bobby Jindal and his loyal henchman John White started their war against Louisiana’s public schools and their teachers, the judicial system has proved to be the best line of defense for defenders of the public interest.
Jindal’s two major pieces of eg isolation were declared unconstitutional by the courts. One ruled that it was illegal to take money away from public school funding to pay for vouchers or private vendors (called “course choice”). Another declare the omnibus anti-teacher law unconstitutional on procedural grounds. Thus far, the legislature appears less willing to bow to Jindal’s demands, maybe because his poll ratings have dropped into
Jindal’s two major pieces of eg isolation were declared unconstitutional by the courts. One ruled that it was illegal to take money away from public school funding to pay for vouchers or private vendors (called “course choice”). Another declare the omnibus anti-teacher law unconstitutional on procedural grounds. Thus far, the legislature appears less willing to bow to Jindal’s demands, maybe because his poll ratings have dropped into
Diane in the Evening 4-29-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Dilbert Explains VAM for You by dianerav Ever tried to understand value-added modeling but found the jargon incomprehensible? You are not alone. Most people have had that experience. Here is the clearest explanation I have seen. It makes perfect sense. DFER, EdTrust, et al Insist on High-Stakes Testing for California by dianerav I don’t understand this story. It says that “civil rights groups” demand that Arne Duncan turn down a request for a waiver from a group of districts in California. Since high-stakes tes... more »
