Why PARENTS must OPT Their Children Out of HIgh Stakes Testing.

The more I have thought about the damage high-stakes testing has done to American Public Schools, the sicker I feel.

Why anyone would think that a rigid curriculum to standardize our students is right and say this is good for kids is wrong.

Check out this BLOG re: CCSS: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/.



Stand strong,

Education and Accountability

When I went to the doctor yesterday, I read and signed the statement at the bottom of this post. Perhaps, teachers need to fashion one similar to the one below.

"The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee of warranty expressed or implied on the results that may be obtained."

Now think about schools and teachers. The practice of teaching is not an exact science.

Arne Duncan

Question: Will Arne Duncan listen on his LISTENING TOUR? Or will he use the Listening Tour to promote his agenda?

Connecting to other BLOGS

To connect with other BLOGS a good idea is to post something on a comment and provide this link.

Just be careful about where one posts the comments. One might get some well for lack of a better term a non-thinker. And we wouldn't want that.

Google: Out on the Stoop and you'll find some great blogs there.

Yvonne

Letter to Obama re: Education & NCLB

Hi all,

Here is a GREAT opportunity to sign a letter fashioned by some of the greatest minds. This letter is written to Obama. Obama will be fielding questions and he needs to know what we think. The guy is, I believe, educable.

Link: http://www.avwebnet.com/EducationReformLetter.asp

Go get 'em!

Yvonne Siu-Runyan

Yvonne elected!

We are very lucky to have elected a new leader in our profession who has both the knowledge and courage to stand up for what is right for Kids! Congratulations go to concerned educator, Yvonne, Vice-President elect, & NCTE President in 2010. Thank goodness we have someone in a leadership position who will speak against the insanity of NCLB and Reading First!

You gotta read this article!

Go to link and read this article. "No Child Left Behind: Doomed to Fail"

Is Neuman trying to exonerate herself?

Link: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1812756,00.html

The Profits Made from High Stakes Testing!

"NCLB testing is estimated to cost between $1.9 billion and $5.3 billion over a six-year period from 2002 to 2008, depending on what type of testing states settle on...In 2003 Eduventures estimated that spending on testing and test prep would rise from $1.81 billion in 2003 to $2.29 billion in 2006. If one extends the projection to cover the same six-year period as they GAO's study, then states will spend $5.4 billion for testing and test prep between 2002 and 2008. (The extrapolation is reasonable because Eduventuures' projections are linear.)"

Link: http://www.diatribune.com/bush-profiteers-collect-billions-nclb-part9

Test publishers Profits Increase from 2001-2006:

McGraw-Hill

2001: $274 million

2006: $329 million

% Increase: 20.4%

Link: http://www.mcgraw-hillcom/about/annual_report/ar2006.pdf

Pearson

2001: 432 million pound loss

2006: 469 million pounds gained

% Increase: 210.0%

Link: http:http:www.pearson.com/index.cfm?pageid=58

ETS

2001: $4.2 million

2006: $7.6 million

% Increase: 71.9%

Link: http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?finald-101949244&101949244&npoId-556362&gotoNext=/reports/partners/guidestar/showFinancials.jsp

Educating for Human Greatness

This is a great book. It will inspire and is important and is a great read. Purchase a bunch and pass out to parents or leave it in places like spas, doctors' offices, etc. 

Educating for Human Greatness by Lynn Stoddard

Cost: $3.00

Send inquiries to: Lynn Stoddard

PO Box 582

Farmington, Utah 84025

E-mail: lstrd@yahoo.com

Yvonne Siu-Runyan