Comments on: Education Policy is Politics; Politics is Education Policy (UPDATED with Ravitch Post)

By: Real Hartford » Fussing Over Test Scores

Real Hartford » Fussing Over Test Scores — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:19:47 +0000

[...] the Hartford Public Schools bounces around to avoid stepping on the toes of the Connecticut State Department of Education, residents are left wondering about matters that are not divorced from education, such as what [...]

By: Yippee! Standardized Test Scores up in NYC! - Wait, What?

Yippee! Standardized Test Scores up in NYC! - Wait, What? — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:02:21 +0000

[...] Malloy Administration may be keeping the “Lid On Mastery Test Scores,” but in New York, politicians are already vying for credit after “New York City public school [...]

By: Thomas B

Thomas B — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:34:00 +0000

I beg all real educators not to be a part of the testing charade by celebrating better test scores–if you do –you are actually buying into this sorry state of affairs—-and what happens when they go down again–which they will–do you make excuses or feel bad or ashamed—(testing needs to be used for what it was intended for)—lets NEVER forget that–sing praises to your students real accomplishments on a daily basis—and stay true to your calling and to your heart——The tide will turn if you do so–and our students will benefit when that time comes again——-Tom

By: Brutus2011

Brutus2011 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:03:00 +0000

This whole thing is about politics and administrative salaries and perks! It is about the higher paid adults and they do not want their gravy train up-ended.
Our unions seem to be complicit in this. Perhaps we can press them to share information with the rank and file teachers.

By: ProActive

ProActive — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:54:00 +0000

What if in school districts of poverty, instead of trying to raise test scores we change the focus to; making productive citizens.
If a child does not have the encouragement, desire, motivation or stamina to excel in academics, but has the skills to work with their hands; why make them feel useless if they do not reach a level on a test. Lets utilize their skills in areas of strength and push them in directions that will add to the economy rather than take away. The large sums of money used to try and raise test scores only pushes kids away from school and causes stagnation of our educational system. Money could then be utilized to push highly academic minded students to excel even higher, which will then help the economy grow. Students can feel a sense of accomplishment because they are moving in a positive direction. They have time to mature and understand the importance of a quality education. They CAN change direction if the “light bulb” suddenly goes on, because they have had an opportunity to move forward.
States are dealing with issues of “Bullying”, I believe that States have become the biggest bullies in our education system.

By: Linda174

Linda174 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:47:00 +0000

NY Times yesterday and they are looking for reader comments to be printed this Sunday.

STEPHEN KRASHEN
Los Angeles, July 16, 2012

The writer is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education.

Editors’ Note: We invite readers to respond to this letter for the Sunday Dialogue. We plan to publish responses and Mr. Krashen’s rejoinder in the Sunday Review. E-mail: letters@nytimes.com

An excess of testing:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/opinion/invitation-to-a-dialogue-an-excess-of-testing.html?_r=1

By: guest

guest — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:05:00 +0000

It is clearly a group effort! Great work to Jonathan Pelto, Diane Ravitch, and the excellent commenters… I notice that Ravitch has mostly very helpful comments, as does this blog, but Valerie Strauss’s Answer Sheet attracts some Dark Age anti-intellectuals…

By: jonpelto

jonpelto — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:48:00 +0000

Thank you both!

By: Linda174

Linda174 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:41:00 +0000

I just noticed you are linking (is that the correct term) Diane’s latest
Posts in the right margin, so I won’t note them…sorry.

By: Magister

Magister — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:41:00 +0000

While you post Ravitch on Pelto’s, I post Pelto’s on Ravitch’s!