Total Pageviews

Search This Blog

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Will districts soon be able to opt out of the state tests?

If Representative Debbie Mayfield has her way they soon will be.

If a school district does not wish to participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program, the district may choose to annually administer an English Language Arts national, norm-referenced assessment for students in grades 3 through 11; annually administer a mathematics national, norm-referenced assessment for students in grades 3 through 8; and administer a science national, norm-referenced assessment once for students at the elementary school level and once for students at the middle school level. If a district does not wish to administer the national, norm-referenced assessments online, the district shall administer paper-based assessments. Funds designated for the statewide, standardized assessment program shall be used to procure and administer the district-selected, national, norm-referenced assessment. The Commissioner of Education shall maintain a list of pre-2009 national, norm-referenced assessments identified pursuant to s. 1002.395. A district, including instructional personnel, shall not be negatively impacted for not participating in the statewide, standardized assessment program, including, but not limited to, negative implications regarding district and school grades and personnel evaluations."

Two things, if it is good enough for voucher schools then it should be good enough for public schools right and second if the state really believes in parental choice and them knowing whats best for their children then how can they not pass this bill? If they don't then all standardized testing is, is an excuse to punish teachers and schools.

This the most far reaching and best proposal yet. 

To read more, click the link:  http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/florida-house-member-files-bill-to-allow-testing-opt-out/2218486

2 comments:

  1. I remember taking the Stanford Achievement Test in Elementary school (here in Duval back in the 60's). Always scored in the 90 percentiles (patting self on back). Education worked back then. Things were simple. Everyone knew where they stood. Remedial activities were available. When did everything have to become someone's fault? And when was it decided to go after scapegoats? Find the supporters of these policies and you will find the problem.

    I think I'll start with the Bushs....George W ,and Little Jeb (not the Azaleas, they're pretty in the Spring).

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm in the middle of a book about the history of teaching. For the most part, the trend of teacher blame is quite constant. When it comes down to it, not everyone in America is high achieving in everything. Why must we only focus on academics? Some kids do better in math or science or history, but no, every child has to be "on level" whatever that means. How can we expect every child to reach mastery when there are so many variables? I went to private schools all of my life. We had the Stanford Achievement test too, but it meant nothing. No one in college cared about those results.

    ReplyDelete