It is 10 A.M. on a School Day: Do you known what your children are doing?
by jonpelto
At school, learning may not be the correct answer.
Thanks to the “education reform” movement, standardized testing now appears to be the Number #1 priority of public education.
Governor Malloy’s 2012 “Education Reform” bill proposed a new standardized test for 11thgrade and ended with new standardized tests and assessments for kindergarten through second grade.
Meanwhile, the new teacher evaluation legislation will require additional new standardized testing, in all subjects, at the beginning and end of each year. A growing number of districts, including Hartford, Bridgeport, Windham and elsewhere have or will actually be going to three rounds of standardized tests, plus the Connecticut Mastery Tests. And that doesn’t even count all of the other standardized testing that is already in place.
In fact, depending on what grade level your child or children are in, they are probably busy right now taking a standardized test or being put through the paces in order to prepare
As they say in public radio, it’s never too late to donate – Wait, What? needs your help
by jonpelto
Friends,
First and foremost, I want to thank all of you who have been so generous in your support for Wait, What?
Contributions in support of Wait, What? came in from all over the state, and even from around the country. Donations ranged from $10 to $250 and each and every contribution is an extraordinary statement about your commitment to helping me continue and strengthen this blog and the role of advocacy journalism in the state. I truly can’t thank you enough.
In addition to my work with Wait, What?, in the coming weeks, we’ll be rolling out a new entity called Connecticut Public School Advocates. CT-PSA will be a grass-roots organization dedicating to promoting PUBLIC EDUCATION in Connecticut. Unlike the “education reformers,” who will do or say anything in their effort to demonize teachers and privatize our educational system, those of us who believe in the fundamental importance of high quality public education for everyone, are ready, willing and eager to have an honest discussion about the challenges facing public education in this nation and how best to meet those challenges.
More about how to get involved in Connecticut Public School Advocates will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile, I will continue to use Wait, What? as my primary vehicle for raising awareness and pushing for meaningful change in how government and politics function in Connecticut. As we’ve witnessed, on many issues, at both the state and local level, things are “off-track.”
While reasonable people can certainly disagree about specific proposals or policies, my work with Wait, What? has reiterated my belief that; (1) we are all better off when citizens have a true understanding of the challenges that confront us, (2) that policymakers must be held accountable for their actions, and (3) as Democrats, we have an obligation to hold our own to the same or greater standard than we hold our opponents.
If you haven’t had a chance to help support Wait, What? through a donation, your help now would be greatly appreciated.
Any contribution, whether large or small, will help ensure that we continue our effort to educate, persuade and mobilize people to speak out on the important issues and challenges that we face.
As always, thank you very much,
Jonathan Pelto
To support Wait, What – please go to http://fundly.com/lomx4hbr
PS: The way this particular fundraising site works is that the names of donors are listed on the page after a contribution is made. If you’d prefer not to have your name listed on the website’s “Fundraising Page” all you have to do is check the anonymous box on the “donation page.” All the information will still come through to me, but your name will not show up in the “Pulse” section of the on-line fundraising page…. Regardless I will take the page down after the fundraising effort is over.
Alternatively, if you would prefer, donations can be made by check. Simply send it to Wait, What? C/o Jonathan Pelto, PO Box 400, Storrs, CT. 06268
Contributions are not tax-deductible, nor do they qualify as campaign donations. They are simply donations or contributions toward the maintenance of Wait, What?
