Gov. Jerry Brown to call for less state testing in schools

[Newsjock]

http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/01/gov-jerry-brown-to-call-for-less-state-testing-in-schools.html

Gov. Jerry Brown will call for less statewide testing and expanding classroom focus beyond math and English in his annual State of the State address tomorrow, according to his top education adviser.

Sue Burr, executive director of the State Board of Education, told hundreds of school finance officials today that Brown will seek to reduce student testing and push districts to focus on a broader array of subject areas. She spoke at an annual workshop produced by School Services of California, which advises districts on how to budget for the next school year.

"We think there's way, way too much testing in our system right now," Burr said. "Just as an example, a 10th grade student takes 15 hours' worth of tests. So that sophomore is losing 15 hours of their instructional program."

... "We've spent way too much time over the last several years narrowing our curriculum to English language arts and mathematics," Burr said. "While those are critically important, we can't ignore history. We can't ignore science. We can't ignore civics. We can't ignore the arts."

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[msongs]

2. 15 for tests PLUS hundreds of hours for test PREP nt

[la la]

3. i knew there was a reason--

that i voted for jerry!

[southernyankeebelle]

4. That is a great idea. I think there is way to much testing all over the country.

[roody]

5. It is more than 15.

Now they have to take quarterly 'benchmarks' to see if they will be ready for the TESTS.

[Tikki]

6. Excellent news...thank you Governor Brown.

Tikki

[dhill926]

7. excellent.....

arts have taken a hit in the the schools......