Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday:
Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday

A recent column suggested the Democratic Party is headed for a split over approaches to improve public education. Letter to the editor:

While I am flattered by commentary writer Richard Whitmire’s description of me, I take great exception with his characterization of what unions support and why (“Column: The Democrats’ great education schism”).

Our union calls out policies that have failed and promotes proven solutions, like engaging curriculum that includes music, art and career and technical programs; collaboration between educators and administrators; and community schools that provide much-needed services for disadvantaged children and families. We also believe, as does the public, that charter schools should be transparent and held accountable, just like other public schools.

The fixation on “test, punish and privatize” policies pushed by Education SecretaryArne Duncan and former New York State Education commissioner John King, who will be Duncan’s successor, has not worked. In New York, the opposition to King’s policies was organic, led by parents and educators throughout the state who were fed up with reducing kids to test scores. There may be healthy differences among Democrats over education policy, but I believe Hillary Clinton wants to listen to parents and teachers. That would be a step toward providing all children with the kind of rigorous, well-rounded education that will prepare them for career, college and life.

Randi Weingarten, president American Federation of Teachers; Washington, D.C.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

USA TODAY

Column: The Democrats' great education schism

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Charter schools have so much clout because people such as Bill Gates and others who pushed high-stakes standardized testing as the way to improve public schools. Charters appear to “work” because they drill endlessly so that kids can pass standardized tests. Does passing these tests have anything to do with real learning or doing well in the real world? Of course it does not. And in the name of passing high-stakes testing, things such as art, music, recess and even sometimes social studies are getting cut.

— Chris Darling

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday: