Opt-Out Orlando: Madama Butterfly
What do the mothers in Opt-Out Orlando and Puccini’s opera, Madama Butterfly, have in common? They face the loss of control over the fates of their children.
What is the difference? The mothers in Orlando will not accept a tragic ending.
What is the difference? The mothers in Orlando will not accept a tragic ending.
As I sit and listen to the Madama Butterfly performance via a feed on my computer from the Metropolitan Opera House, the idea naturally occurred to me. Parents have the huge responsibility of protecting their child from harm. All harm when possible.The abuse of high stakes testing is so widespread and well financed, to fight it often seems too overwhelming. That, of course, means the fight must be fought and won.Cindy Hamilton, Sandy Stenoff and Becky Smith organized a film showing and panel Q&A at Howard Middle School on January 25 that opened people’s eyes, established goals for positive change for children, and created an honest dialogue among the 400 people who attended. The impact of what they managed to accomplish will have reverberations for months and years to come. Congratulations to the real movers and shakers, three moms and all the others who comprise Opt-Out Orlando, for this superb event.
The special event film, Standardized: Lies, Money and Civil Rights, is a brilliant documentary about how high stakes testing is ruining public education. The hype surrounding Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and other brands being marketed and sold while financially profiting from tax dollars intended for public schools, is explained as the film follows the money and explains the causes and solutions. Visit the site HERE.
The invited panelists were from different areas of expertise. The fact that a small group of moms organized and made a large group of parents and others dedicated to doing right for