Hey there! It’s Amy Dubé M.Ed.!
Amy Dubé, M.Ed. responds to Myopic Globe Editorial on February 12. Originally posted at: https://publicschoolmama.com/2017/02/13/hey-there-its-amy-dube-m-ed/
In a recent February 12 Globe editorial titled “The MTA’s Myopic Agenda”, the first line reveals the author’s purpose, “FRESH OFF A victory on Question 2, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, led by combative firebrand Barbara Madeloni…”
Clearly, this editorial writer is still feeling the sting of the overwhelming NO on #2 vote. The taxpayers, parents, and teachers have spoken in support of Massachusetts students. Yet still, this editorial, a thinly veiled attack on Barbara Madeloni as well as Massachusetts teachers, is filled with vitriol over the powerful pushback of the voters against lifting the charter cap. The February 12 editorial is quite a slap in the face to voters, parents, students, and the teachers that work so hard for their success.
As the editorial contributor correctly explained, “The MTA wants a three-year moratorium on those tests, with the goal of nixing them entirely.” That’s the only thing this editorial got right.
But why does the MTA want a three-year moratorium on those high stakes tests?
Is the MTA truly a myopic agenda, or are there nuances that the writer of this simplistic editorial failed to see?
Is the MTA truly a myopic agenda, or are there nuances that the writer of this simplistic editorial failed to see?
The stakes are so high that schools are forced to teach to these tests. It forces publishers to simulate the tests. It forces school districts to purchase curriculum from these publishers based on these tests. There are companies like ANet and Iready that districts hire just to simulate these tests quarterly in order to train students to perform for these tests.
How does this affect children?
Senator Michael Rush, D-West Roxbury, is to be commended for being the brave lead Senate sponsor of the MTA legislation. As a champion of student well-being and the meeting of student developmental needs, he explains, “A lot of these concerns I have had…Largely, they feel students are being over-tested.”
The bill would also rewrite school-turnaround legislation which is badly needed. The bill would limit the states hand in intervening. Why does the state want to intervene with underperforming schools? To meet student needs? No. To push charters. Charters are a great way to bring “innovation” to districts. And by innovation, this means less qualified, less experienced administrators, higher faculty turnover, lack of budget transparency, concerning suspension rates and teachers with minimum to zero certifications for their positions. In urban areas with transient students as well Badass Teachers Association: Hey there! It’s Amy Dubé M.Ed.!: