At least 155,000 NY students opted out of tests on Thursday. Big protest. Picture.

[madfloridian]

With Massive Boycott of Standardized Tests, New York Students Take Stand Against Corporate Education


Tens of thousands of students in New York boycotted the annual state-mandated English Language Arts exams this week in a grassroots challenge to Governor Andrew Cuomo's controversial education agenda.

Organizers, including educational advocacy group United to Counter the Core, said at least 155,000 students opted out of the tests on Thursday, with only half of the state's districts tallied. That figure is up from 112,763 on Wednesday—and up from 49,000 last year. Testing began on Tuesday.

The revolt is in response to what parents, students, and activists say is a political takeover of educational standards—seen at the national level as well—that pushes a focus on standardized exams and a Common Core curriculum, developed by a secretive for-profit company, that compromises learning for test preparation.

In late March, Cuomo approved a budget that included many divisive revisions to the state education agenda, including teacher evaluations based partly on test scores, which critics say take too long , are too vague to be accurate, and fail to measure real learning.

Investigative journalist Juan Gonzalez explained the concerns over the increased focus on testing in his column for the New York Daily News:

The politicians created a test that says all schools are failing, not just the ones in the big cities, then declare a crisis, so they can close more neighborhood schools, launch more charter schools, and target more teachers for firing.

Meanwhile, the private company that fashioned this new test, Pearson, insists on total secrecy over its content.

[appalachiablue]

1. Excellent, fight back-

[madfloridian]

6. Yes. Excessive testing can't replace good teaching.

[marmar]

2. K/R

[JaneyVee]

3. How does opting out effect their overall grade?

If opting out doesn't effect their grade then how is it fair to the kids who studied and got good grades?

[madfloridian]

4. Test not based on classroom curriculum. Based on secret formula by testing companies.

But it means teachers can be fired, schools marked down and even closed, students not promoted or allowed to graduate.

Some examples:

FL testing a mess. Girl finished essay, there was no submit button.

From Truth Out:

The Fight Against High-Stakes Testing: A Civil Rights Movement

From Alan Singer post in WP:

Singer is social studies educator in the Department of Teaching, Literacy and Leadership at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, and the editor of Social Science Docket (a joint publication of the New York and New Jersey Councils for Social Studies). He taught at a number of secondary schools in New York City, including Franklin K. Lane High School and Edward R. Murrow High School. He is also the author of several books. A version of this originally appeared on his Huffington Post blog.

How the Obamas opted their children out of high-stakes standardized tests

These high stakes tests over ride classroom grades, teacher observation of students, portfolios of students work...they are everything. They are used to close schools and do a "turnaround"..a famous Arne plan. Schools can be turned over to charter management based on the tests which have nothing to do with classroom work.

Charter School Managers Pocketed Millions in Scam: DC files lawsuit. More oversight needed, please.

More:

Pearson Co. joins Duncan, Obama at WH education summit. Just paid 7.7 mil fine for breaking law

That's the company that makes and grades the secret test that decides the future of students teachers. Even honor students and teachers of the years in some cases.

As to affecting the other students? It doesn't.

[madfloridian]

5. FL Republicans on video speaking out against overtesting.

"I'm done with the testing program in the State of Florida" -FL State Senator Tom Lee (R)

[appalachiablue]

7. So glad to see kids, families, communities & some legislators striking back at this corrupt

reign of terror for profit by predatory banks and corps. Manufactured crisis, for shame-

[madfloridian]

8. Agree. Right now it is mostly a parent/student movement.

They are seeing what is happening to their kids.

[appalachiablue]

9. K & R !!!! This major issue in our country.

[Jefferson23]

10. Super, I love it. K&R