tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133521035538248322.post8217933759506186318..comments2023-12-24T05:39:44.753-06:00Comments on Mike Klonsky's Blog: Deb Meier's latestMike Klonskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02017021676773731024noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133521035538248322.post-85436936695662495142012-05-12T18:02:26.082-05:002012-05-12T18:02:26.082-05:00You know, having taught for 35 years, I would have...You know, having taught for 35 years, I would have to say that the crux of the problem is standardized testing. NCLB devolved (yes, I DO mean devolved & not evolved) into RttT via more & more poorly designed (& scored) tests, all under the money monster Pearson. The billions of dollars Pearson is getting from the states for tests, test preps, scoring & now texts has drained all of that money from & thus dehydrated public schools. Not to mention the sad story of the loss of educational creativity for students. The entire scourge of school closings was predicated (&, of course, continues thus)upon high-stakes test scores. To put it simply, the many-headed monster here, is:<br /><br /> 1. Costs of tests & materials starving our schools <br /> monetarily leading to<br /><br /> 2. More poorly equipped/funded schools (& most likely<br /> those in low-income areas suffer the greatest losses)<br /> leading to<br /><br /> 3. Less programs--school libraries, staff cutbacks,etc,<br /> leading to <br /><br /> 4. Larger classes, less programs, less help for children,<br /> less I.D. of kids who need special ed., leading to<br /><br /> 5. Less effective teaching & poorer school environment<br /> leading to<br /><br /> 6. Poor (or decrease in) test scores leading to<br /><br /> 7. School closures, as based on test scores.<br /><br /> I could go through a whole list about pressures (teacher)<br />being passed on to students, but that would be an additional<br />list! In any case, United OptOut has a great website & petition, & should definitely work with S.O.S. this summer to STOP THE TESTING! (Especially for special ed. kids--whether or not they should take these tests should not be blanket for the disability determined, but should be determined by the I.E.P. Team {which includes the parents!!})ReTiredbutMisstheKidsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133521035538248322.post-68329841949645477522012-05-12T13:29:25.689-05:002012-05-12T13:29:25.689-05:00Thanks for your heroic efforts, Tim and Bob. The S...Thanks for your heroic efforts, Tim and Bob. The SOS Convention this summer would be a great place for you to do workshops on media and the common ground. Hope to see both of you there. Let me know if you are interested.Mike Klonskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02017021676773731024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133521035538248322.post-50154986887628995582012-05-12T13:17:50.006-05:002012-05-12T13:17:50.006-05:00Over the past few years I have made several aborti...Over the past few years I have made several abortive attempts to develop a unified space for the many groups to come together to discuss issues, share resources, and develop strategies. None has really taken off because people seem to be entrenched in their own territory and fear losing control(?), prestige(?), or whatever or I just haven't hit on the right format yet. Two of my attempts are still alive, one on Facebook at Public Schools: Seeking Common Ground and the other is on the Forum at Dump Duncan http://dumpduncan.org/forum/. The latter is the most active right now with several discussions taking place on CCSS, charter schools, high-stakes testing, and guerilla strategies. All are leaderless group format. We are planning a more secure discussion format for those who do not want their participation to be made public and for sensitive topics that should not be open to the general public. Bob Valiant http://dumpduncan.orgBob Valianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15367882126108011562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133521035538248322.post-27936636015939283162012-05-10T19:13:35.468-05:002012-05-10T19:13:35.468-05:00The far-flung nature of the SOS community cries ou...The far-flung nature of the SOS community cries out for a unified space for people to keep encouraging other. The ITNU space we've created here in Illinois actually seems like just the thing for SOS. I'm not sure ITNU is going to thrive; it might. But I think SOS will thrive--- make an online space for it.Learhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053574139373063271noreply@blogger.com