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Suzie Nestico

Father: Why I didn't let my son take standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washin... - 0 views

www.washingtonpost.com/...ABkgICTB_blog.html

edu_news administrator all_teachers curriculum education reform education standardized tests standardized testing

shared by Suzie Nestico on 27 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • My wife and I had Luke “opt out” of No Child Left Behind standardized testing (here in Pennsylvania known as the Pennsylvania System of School Achievement, or PSSAs).
  • Last week I did just that. I looked at the test and determined that it violated my religion. How, you might ask? That’s an entirely different blog, but I can quickly say that my religion does not allow for or tolerate the act of torture and I determined that making Luke sit for over 10 hours filling in bubble sheets would have been a form of mental and physical torture, given that we could give him no good reason as to why he needs to take this test.
  • ch a reason for opting out of the PSSA testing will negatively affect the school’s participation rate and could POTENTIALLY have a negative impact on the school’s Adequate Yearly Progress under the rules of No Child Left Behind.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • The point was to give Luke some experience in how to conduct planned civil disobedience in a lawful manner.
  • This time, instead of having Luke sit through another meeting, he researched the Japanese earthquake and tsunami as a current events project.
  • I asked Luke what he thought about it all. He just smiled. I also asked him what some of his friends were saying. According to Luke, they did not believe that NCLB and PSSAs were going to be used to evaluate the school. They didn’t know about AYP and the sanctions that came with it. Luke’s friends just thought the tests, “were used to make sure our teachers are teaching us the right stuff.” My guess is that is what most parents believe. Why wouldn’t they believe it? They’ve been told for nine years that we are raising standards, holding teachers accountable, and leaving no children behind. Who wouldn’t support that?
  • That, of course, is the real problem. NCLB and the standards movement is a political bait and switch. Sold as one thing (positive) to the public and then in practice, something radically different (punitive). This is probably one of the biggest reasons I decided to do the boycott—to make my community aware and to try and enlighten them of the real issues.
  • My answer is that the government is not listening. Teachers, principals, teacher educators, child development specialists, and educational researchers have been trying to get this message out for years. No one will listen.
  • Civil disobedience is the only option left. It’s my scream in a dark cave for light. I want teachers to teach again. I want principals to lead again. I want my school to be a place of deep learning and a deeper love of teaching. I want children exposed to history, science, art, music, physical education, and current events—the same experience President Obama is providing his own children.
  • Maybe civil disobedience will be contagious. Maybe parents will join us in reclaiming our schools and demand that teachers and administrators hands be untied and allow them to do their jobs—engage students in a rich curriculum designed to promote deep learning and critical thinking.
  • Suzie Nestico on 27 Mar 11
     
    Another PA parent opts his child out of PSSA standardized testing as a measure of civil disobedience.  Word of caution:  This can very much hurt a school's Adequate Yearly Progress and ultimately the school may suffer.  But, what if this movement spread amongst parents?  What then?  Would the government take over the school?  Change is hard.
Corey N

Air Trafic Officials Suspended!!!!!!!!!! - 0 views

www.cnn.com/...index.html

DVD FAA Air Trafic Officials

shared by Corey N on 19 Apr 11 - No Cached
  • brett p on 19 Apr 11
     
    Early Sunday morning, two air traffic officials were caught suspended. They were caught watching a movie on a portable DVD player. The worker was watching the movie while working the radar position. For more than three minutes the movie played across the radio frequency. The problem was brought to air traffic control's attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency. This is leading to a nationwide tour by top FAA officials and union representatives, to discuss professionalism and safety at air traffic control centers.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • Corey N on 19 Apr 11
     
    Air traffic control operators are declining in workers performance everyday and now government officials are starting to take action. There Crack-in down on the paid, lazy, and dangerous control operatives not taking there job seriously. Two Air traffic control operatives have been suspended for watching DVD's during their shift in Cleveland. The Federal Aviation Administration or the "FAA" officials and union representatives, are to discuss the future of Airport security. The "FFA" says one of the violins are sleeping on the boruch of Danny
  • jared p on 19 Apr 11
     
    These people should be suspended they are not doing their job and could potentially be putting peoples lives in danger if they do not get more serious.
  • Kristen D. on 19 Apr 11
     
    I think that these airlines should be monitored more. This could get many people hurt and make no one want to fly anymore. They airline should watch who they hire.
  • tyler k on 19 Apr 11
     
    I would not want to fly on an airline where people watch movies and sleep instead of doing there job. This stuff needs to be cracked down on.
  • ryan p on 19 Apr 11
     
    Good, they should be suspended. You shouldn't be watching a movie while your at work. What if somebody that was dangerous snuck past and hurt somebody? They need to find two more serious officials, one's that will do their job right
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