I agree
with United Opt Out's position on ESEA [http://unitedoptout.com/2015/07/11/why-uoo-opposes-esea-ecaa-and-supports-the-necessity-of-revolution/]
and I want to add a point.
It is
possible that the proposal that passes congress will have some kind of
reduction in the amount of high-stakes testing required. If this happens, the testing industrial
complex continue to make massive profits. MOREOVER, THEIR PROFITS WILL BE NEARLY THE
SAME AS EVER, AND WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE OVER TIME.
The main
cost of testing is the infrastructure, which will remain more or less the same
regardless of the amount of testing done. As long as tests are administered
online, the boondoggle will continue and grow and tests will continue to bleed
funds that are badly needed elsewhere: Every time a new operating system or new hardware is required, we, the
taxpayers, will pay the costs. This is why the "reformers" will
cheerfully agree to a reduction.
We must
insist that no test be given to students unless it has been demonstrated that
the test is helpful, and it has been demonstrated that the investment in the
test is more beneficial that investing the money elsewhere (e.g. health care,
food programs, libraries). It is time
for a Real Testing Moratorium.
Stephen Krashen
July 13, 2015
Exactly right, thanks for pointing out the craven heart of the commercial parasites looting our school districts. Our district spent heavily on tech--hardware, software, bandwidth, wiring upgrades, consultants, etc.--and then would not admit or report the actual costs so as to keep parents and townsfolk in the dark, even when I OPRA's the doc's legally. This ugly private war on public education is like a vampire that flees the light of day.
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