Common Core Warriors, PLEASE READ THIS POST! We are at a crossroads. Legislation is being drafted as we speak. I have been engaged in discussion with many people over these past few days including several legislators and many warriors who have contributed tremendously to this cause, but who are still unaware of a very important aspect and perspective of this concern. Please read and consider this post very carefully. It goes to the heart of this battle and it is urgent that as we go forward in this effort that people be aware and fully understand why this must be approached in a very specific manner: WE MUST ELIMINATE THE ASSESSMENTS. Let me say that again: WE MUST ELIMINATE THE ASSESSMENTS. There is poison in the curriculum. There is danger in the data collection. The APPR are a nightmare. And the Standards themselves are inadequate to prepare our students for college. BUT THE VICE AND SYRINGE FOR THE POISON IS THE ASSESSMENTS. Please let me explain- Race to the Top conditions mandate that the measure of the Standards are assessments. The assessments are controlled COMPLETELY AND EXCLUSIVELY BY TWO COMPANIES FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY: PARCC and SmarterBalanced States are required to participate with one of these two testing consortia to measure achievement of the standards. New York participates with PARCC. NO ONE sees or has input into these assessments except for the testing company itself. There is NO educator input into the assessments. Teachers cannot review them to see whats being asked of the students. Parents have no recourse when they find out that their children are being fed absolute garbage through the assessments. New York has developed curriculum to meet the standards and which is allegedly geared to success on the assessments. But since NO ONE sees the assessments, we must take the word of the Regents that this is what is even happening. Also, New York (or any state) could conceivably change their curriculum. Curriculum is NOT dictated by RttT. But under RttT they CANNOT refuse to administer the assessments and the testing companies HAVE NO OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER TO CONSIDER INPUT OR FEEDBACK OR EVEN ALLOW ANYONE TO LOOK AT THE ASSESSMENTS. Therefore, no matter what we do to address curriculum, our students will still be subject to the educational poison of the assessments every year. The current recommendations and legislation introduced by Senator Greg Ball refers to a three year moratorium. The moratorium applies to the impact of student performance on the assessments to teacher ratings (APPR). NOTHING would change for the students. THEY WILL STILL TAKE EVERY TEST EVERY YEAR with no educator input or protection from dangerous or inappropriate content. Assemblyman Al Graf has assured us that the legislation he is working on will address our concerns in a more comprehensive manner. Whatever legislation is introduced or considered by any of the legislators, it MUST address the solid steel vice grip that the Race to the Top MANDATED ASSESSMENTS have on our childrens education system. I do not make light of everyones concerns with all other aspects of Common Core and the RttT conditions. But if this one piece does not get specifically addressed, all other concerns will not result in freeing our children from the Common Core poison. Please ask questions if you have them. And please attend one of the upcoming forums with Dr. Peg Luksik in Cortlandt on Feb 4th or Poughkeepsie on Feb 5th and get fully informed about why the specific wording of any proposed legislation is so very important. Thanks & Prayers as always, Anne
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:52:16 +0000
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