#HowMuchTesting and for What Purpose? Join the Debate!
The “opt out” of testing movement has gained steam over the past few years and turned into a social movement. Professors across the United States are finally joining the debate in large ways. Matthew R. Lavery from the University of Central Florida submitted the following to Cloaking Inequity about the discussion that will ensue at the upcoming American Educational Research Conference in Washington, D.C.
As the scholarly debate about the extent and purpose of educational testing rages on, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) wants to hear from you. During a key session at its Centennial Conference this spring in Washington DC, entitled How Much Testing and for What Purpose? Public Scholarship in the Debate about Educational Assessment and Accountability, prominent educational researchers will respond to questions and concerns raised by parents, students, teachers, community members, and the public at large.Any and all of you with an interest in educational testing and accountability are invited to post your questions, concerns, and comments using the hashtag #HowMuchTesting on Twitter, Facebook,Instagram, Google+, or the social media platform of your choice, as these are the posts to which AERA’s panelists will respond.Perhaps you are a parent who has seen the effects of current testing practices on your child and her education. Perhaps you are a teacher who has had first-hand experience with the intended and unintended consequences of high-stakes testing on you, your colleagues, or your students. Perhaps you’re a community member who has unanswered questions about how testing does or doesn’t ensure quality education for all students.Whatever your perspective, your voice is vital to this debate. Please be heard by responding to this post, posting your own thoughts and questions through social media, and encouraging others to do the same.Organizers are interested in all #HowMuchTesting posts, but they are particularly interested in video-recorded questions and comments of 30 – 45 seconds in duration so that you can ask your own questions, rather than having it read by a moderator. In addition, in order to provide ample time for the panel of experts to prepare for the discussion, comments and questions posted by March 17have the best chances for inclusion in the debate.Thank you for your contribution to this important conversation!
I am chairing a Presidential session at AERA. More details soon about how you can participate in the session via social media that will feature Diane Ravitch, Sara Goldrick-Rab, Frederick Hess et al.
For all of Cloaking Inequity’s post on testing click here.
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