“Statistical calculations based on warped figures lead to confusion, frustration and wrong decisions.” These wise words from W. Edwards Deming are most timely as the educational community awaits the next batch of big data to be delivered, the results of the latest test promising to revolutionize schooling, the SBAC. A hollow promise, based on warped figures, that will certainly deliver hollow results. What will the SBAC data mean? Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. Numbers in isolation, lacking story and context.
SBAC test
Posted inEducation, Politics
Teachers rally against Smarter Balanced test at Capitol: ‘Put the test to rest’
Hundreds of teachers, parents, teachers union leaders and students descended on the state Capitol Tuesday, objecting to the Department of Education’s use of the Smarter Balanced test associated with the Common Core Standards. Some key lawmakers, however, appear to be unmoved.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut’s lawmakers must see through the ‘edu-profiteers’ and testing mania
I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it is, as a public school employee and practicing school psychologist, to have federal legislation written that continues to allow our students to be assessed by an unproven and invalid standardized test process and also enables the charter school industry to take funds allocated for public school students and divert them to their own private business interests.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut’s SBAC testing will bring an egregious contradiction
Generalizations like “efficiency,” “accountability,” and “reliability” have been used time and again to describe the benefits of standardized tests. SBAC is no different. However, before Connecticut lawmakers authorize SBAC testing in Connecticut, they should understand what those terms mean for the parents, teachers, and, most significantly, students who will, day in, day out, live with the realities these terms eschew.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: School officials should not interfere with opting out of SBAC tests
Gov. Dannel Malloy, Interim Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell and all superintendents of schools should cease their obstruction of the rights of parents to decide whether to allow their children to sit for the SBAC test.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Parent explains why she can’t allow her children to take the SBAC test
After doing her own research for months, a Fairfield parent explains why she has no confidence in the state’s use of the SBAC test or that student privacy is adequately protected in the use of the test data. She has elected for her children not to take the test.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
School officials should not interfere with opting out of SBAC tests
Gov. Dannel Malloy, Interim Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell and all superintendents of schools should cease their obstruction of the rights of parents to decide whether to allow their children to sit for the SBAC test.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Many questions remain unanswered about Connecticut’s SBAC test
Teachers and educational leaders should be asking a long list of important questions before moving forward with a flawed and potentially destructive educational practice that fails to inform instruction of our students and takes away from true learning.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Many questions remain unanswered about Connecticut’s SBAC test
Teachers and educational leaders should be asking a long list of important questions before moving forward with a flawed and potentially destructive educational practice that fails to inform instruction of our students and takes away from true learning.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Stand up for your children. Refuse the SBAC test.
Tens of thousands of parents in other states are standing up for their children by refusing the tests and more Connecticut parents are realizing they can refuse the state’s standardized tests, too. Be one of those parents.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Stand up for your children. Refuse the test.
Tens of thousands of parents in other states are standing up for their children by refusing the tests and more Connecticut parents are realizing they can refuse the state’s standardized tests, too. Be one of those parents.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Yes, you CAN opt your kids out of Connecticut SBAC testing this spring!
This post is not specially written to address Common Core itself, but rather to remind all parents concerned about the data and privacy issues and content of standardized testing, that they have the right to opt their kids out of the SBAC testing –regardless of what they are told by their child’s school.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Yes, you CAN opt your kids out of Connecticut SBAC testing this spring!
This post is not specially written to address Common Core itself, but rather to remind all parents concerned about the data and privacy issues and content of standardized testing, that they have the right to opt their kids out of the SBAC testing –regardless of what they are told by their child’s school.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
SBAC test is part of corporate plan to discredit Connecticut public schools
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium test is part a profit-motivated scheme to undermine public education and advance unregulated for-profit schools. The state should not make it so difficult for parents to opt out of this testing program.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: SBAC test is part of corporate plan to discredit Connecticut public schools
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium test is part a profit-motivated scheme to undermine public education and advance unregulated for-profit schools. The state should not make it so difficult for parents to opt out of this testing program.