Our students, along with school staff, are subjugated to the MAP test three times a year. As several of us found out in a meeting with the then (Broadie) person in charge of the MAP test, the third test was completely unnecessary and only implemented because NWEA wanted to have more data for their own use. That’s right, more pain for no gain on the part of our students, staff and financial resources.
Nine weeks taken out of library time in most schools because students have to take a test. What are our priorities? Taking a test or allowing children the opportunity to learn?
There are questions about the necessity of the test, particularly for kindergarten students, how much do teachers gain from the reams of data that they receive on each student and is it worth the millions of dollars that are being spent on implementing the test? This test was not designed to evaluate a teacher’s performance and yet it was decided by our recently fired superintendent that it be used just for that purpose. Is it time to reconsider the validity of our students taking this test? How much importance should this test have in the overall scheme of things?
And then there is the HSPE. The fourth standardized test that is being taken by our students each year.
Do parents know that they can opt out of these tests? Do parents know how to opt out?
These are the topics and questions that will be addressed at the:
Parent Perspectives on Standardized Testing
Monday Apr 4, 2011
6-8 pm
Thornton Creek cafeteria
7711 43rd Avenue NE
Agenda:
A national perspective
Classroom assessment: the big picture
Direct & indirect costs of MAP
Usefulness of MAP to parents
Opting out/ Parental Rights
Interpreting student’s MAP scores
Sponsored by
The Alternative Schools Coalition
Parents Across America, Seattle
Parents Across America
Hope you can make it.
Dora
