Tag: MAP test boycott

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Two more schools join the Seattle MAP test boycott and USDOE study on the MAP gives it a failing grade

seattleducation2010

   …and the Washington Education Association Assembly has voted to support the boycott.      Ingraham High School and Thornton Creek Elementary have joined the MAP test boycott which brings the number of schools opting out of the MAP test to seven. 30 teachers at Roosevelt High School have also joined the protest and teachers at Franklin High School stated that if the test is to be given next year, they will boycott the MAP test also.      The list of boycotting schools as of today is: Ballard High School The Center School Chief Sealth International High School Garfield High School … Continue reading Two more schools join the Seattle MAP test boycott and USDOE study on the MAP gives it a failing grade

MAP, Seattle Pubic Schools1 Comment

No reprimand for the MAP boycotting teachers in Seattle

seattleducation2010

Excerpts from the Scrap the MAP website: Superintendent Banda promised that teachers who boycotted the MAP test would be disciplined, but because of the overwhelming solidarity from around the nation, he was forced to back down. In his letter he tries to save face by saying that no test coordinators or teachers in tested subjects boycotted the test–which is completely false, as just about every teacher at Garfield signed their name to the statement that saying they boycotted the test. I’m not sure how he could even suggest that! Thanks to everyone who passed a resolution, demonstrated, raised money, emailed … Continue reading No reprimand for the MAP boycotting teachers in Seattle

MAP, Opting Out of High Stakes Testing3 Comments

The Opt Out Update

seattleducation2010

By the way, the third MAP test which is given in the Fall is solely for the use of NWEA. That’s why it’s “optional”. We’re spending precious resources and time so that NWEA can have more test scores to plug into their database. That’s right people. You will note on the Seattle Public School (SPS) website that the Fall test is optional. It’s not needed by SPS for the purpose of tracking student data. NWEA should be paying us for that one. POP Quiz: OK Seattleites, look in the right hand corner at the “Note to self” and tell me, … Continue reading The Opt Out Update

Teacher evaluations based on test scores, TestingLeave a comment

Tonight: Public Forum Race, MAP tests, and privatization: the fight for equality in public education

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Public Forum Race, MAP tests, and privatization: the fight for equality in public education Wednesday, February 20, 7:00pm New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle Bring your thoughts and opinions to a public forum with Special guest speaker Dr. Steven Strauss Dr. Strauss is a Baltimore-area neurologist and a Ph.D. linguistics scholar. As a speaker and writer on education issues, he brings an anti-capitalist analysis and the passion of a parent with two children educated in public schools. In 2011 he marched with Save Our Schools in Washington, D.C., to protest corporatization and high-stakes testing. Also featuring Matt Carter … Continue reading Tonight: Public Forum Race, MAP tests, and privatization: the fight for equality in public education

Weekly Update8 Comments

The Weekly Update Part 2: More school closings, tests for tots and Seattle still scraps the MAP

seattleducation2010

The Weekly Update for all the news and views you might have missed. Part 2 So now it seems that teachers need a $60M test to know if Johnny can read before entering kindergarten and if Susie knows her colors. Hmmm…. Kindergarten more challenging for students, teachers Please understand that our Seattle Times is a corporate bellhop for the wealthy and sings the praises of all things ed reform all of the time. They shamelessly glorify privatization and most of us don’t buy the rag.  The paper is basically one big advertisement for the corporate takeover of our public schools. … Continue reading The Weekly Update Part 2: More school closings, tests for tots and Seattle still scraps the MAP

MAP, Opting Out of High Stakes Testing, Seattle Pubic Schools2 Comments

Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports

seattleducation2010

Saying it’s a waste of time, teachers in Seattle are refusing to give standardized tests to high schoolers because the tests don’t effectively assess students and educators don’t want their evaluations tied to a faulty test. The move is receiving widespread support across the nation. Dan Rather Reports airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on AXS TV. “Teaching to the Test” airs February 12, 2012. Continue reading Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports

MAP, Opting Out of High Stakes Testing4 Comments

Seattle MAP Boycott update: Students refuse to take the MAP test

seattleducation2010

One of the main reasons the students dislike the MAP test is not only because of the waste of time, but it closes the library. We were told today that the library and all 4 computer labs will be closed at all times for the rest of February for MAP testing. That means no books, computers, internet, or printing-which many students rely on. Garfield High School student After being pressured by the superintendent to administer the MAP test days earlier than required, students refused to take the MAP test. In some classes it was 100% participation. In those classes, the … Continue reading Seattle MAP Boycott update: Students refuse to take the MAP test

MAP, Opting Out of High Stakes Testing1 Comment

Letter from Seattle School Librarians to Superintendent Banda: Scrap the MAP

seattleducation2010

Dear Superintendent Banda and Members of the School Board, Since MAP testing was imposed in Seattle Schools in 2009, Seattle school librarians have continually expressed concern about the loss of library resources for students. School libraries are a proven tool to improve student learning. With the onset of MAP testing, however, the libraries in many schools have been closed for weeks at a time while the space is devoted to testing. Librarians, whose role is to teach information skills and support reading instruction, have been required in many schools to spend weeks and weeks as testing clerks. In many schools … Continue reading Letter from Seattle School Librarians to Superintendent Banda: Scrap the MAP

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National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP test Boycott:

seattleducation2010

National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP test Boycott “We demand quality assessment!” Wear Red on Wed for Ed! Scrap the MAP! What: The City-wide Scrap the MAP Organizing Committee is calling on Educators, Students, Parents and supporters of Public Education nation-wide to take action in support of Garfield High School teachers and all teachers in Seattle Public Schools refusing to administer the MAP test. Teachers at Garfield High School and other Seattle Public Schools have gained national attention and support for their stand against the Measure of Academic Progress, for its invalidity, waste of time and resources and … Continue reading National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP test Boycott:

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Fax the Supe Action Day while wearing Red for Public Ed

seattleducation2010

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 30th, is “Fax the Supe Action Day” and the first Wednesday for Wear Red for Pubic Ed in support of the MAP test boycott. Seattle teachers are asking that all wear red for public ed every Wednesday in support of the MAP boycott until the test is taken off the table. Please fax, e-mail or call our superintendent, Jose Banda, and let him know that you support the teachers and families who are coming out en masse to boycott the MAP test. Our supe’s contact information is as follows: Superintendent José L. Banda (206) 252-0180 superintendent@seattleschools.org Fax: … Continue reading Fax the Supe Action Day while wearing Red for Public Ed

MAP, Opting Out of High Stakes Testing3 Comments

Two new websites on the MAP test and boycott

seattleducation2010

The ramifications of high stakes testing are greater than some might imagine. Not only can test scores be used to evaluate a teacher’s performance in an erroneous manner, but they can also be used to “grade” a school, giving it the term “failing school”. That is then used as a rationale to close the school, leaving a neighborhood and community without a school or be replaced with a charter school. That is when tests are used as a weapon rather than a tool in the hands of those who want to de-professionalize teachers and therefore create a cheaper work force … Continue reading Two new websites on the MAP test and boycott