Change the Stakes: Backing the Seattle Teachers
There's been a wealth of support for the test boycotters and now the Superintendent is threatening the teachers. I don't have time but I'm sure you an google the links as loads of email is flowing into the Superintendent. Here is a letter of support written for the teachers by Change the Stakes and MORE member Diana Zavala for our NYC based Change the Stakes Group. Diana is also a parent opt-outer for her kids.
Dear Superintendent Banda,
It has come to our attention that you plan to discipline teachers in the Seattle Public Schools who refuse to administer the MAP test in the Seattle school districts despite the unanimous support that their action has had across the nation, which has inspired all of us resisting the damage that high-stakes, standardized testing that for the past 10 years has negatively affected schools, communities (school closures, charters), and students (achievement gap, segregation/apartheid, drop in college preparedness) and teachers (high teacher turn-over) alike.
We firmly believe you are making a grave mistake in taking any punitive action against these brave individuals who acted (finally) for the benefit of the students. Like the teachers in Newton, Conn. who risked their lives to protect the children, the teachers in Seattle are living heros and an