From a press release from the Ohio Department of Education today...
“Teachers, parents, superintendents and education leaders believe that all students should take the tests, and their communities are better served when achievement is measured. After collaborating with education stakeholders and our partners in the General Assembly, we also know it’s important to provide schools and communities with additional information on the impact of student participation on the report cards,” said Interim State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Lonny J. Rivera.
What the hell, Lonny? Haven't you been listening?, or is this just more bullshit spin like I heard in the teleconferences you participated in on the wonderful improvements in Ohio's testing (See this blog's "Phone Forum Propaganda" 10/27/15 for more on Lonny's spin).
In the interest of full disclosure, Lonny, as a parent and teacher, I DO NOT believe that all students should take the standardized tests. I believe that they should be abolished, especially those tests that tie in high stakes decisions like the 3rd grade guarantee and high school graduation tests. Now, I know you've no interest in abandoning the tests, so how about ditching the high stakes and bringing Ohio's system of assessment down to the federal minimum. As you should know, as a professional educator and acting superintendent, the greatest predictor of test scores is economic standing.
I believe that you could save us all some trouble...teachers, parents, superintendents, and education leaders alike...oh, and students as well (who you forgot to mention), and use tax records instead of test data.
Furthermore, Lonny, I'm willing to bet that lots of other stakeholders would agree with me on this. I think you'd better start paying attention.
Amen. I listened in and asked questions (which weren't answered) during those teleconferences as well.... so I'm not even close to surprised by this recent bunch of spin from Lonny. And that's all it is.... spin. An attempt to reduce opt-outs by pretending there weren't many and that we "all" want the same thing. He's not paying attention, but WE ARE. And we can smell the b.s. from miles away!
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