END STANDARDIZED TESTING NOW!
Ladies and gentlemen, let's talk about standardized testing. Yes, that dreaded phrase that sends shivers down the spines of students, teachers, and parents alike. But why is it so terrible? Who are these corporate reformers pushing it? And who are the billionaires and foundations supporting it? Let's take a deep dive into this topic and see if we can make sense of it all.
First of all, let's address the elephant in the room: standardized testing is a load of hogwash. It's a one-size-fits-all approach to education that completely ignores the fact that every student is unique and learns in their own way. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just doesn't work.
But who are these corporate reformers pushing for standardized testing? Well, let me tell you, they're a bunch of rich folks who have never set foot in a classroom. They sit in their ivory towers, sipping on champagne and smoking cigars, while they dictate how our children should be taught. It's like they think education is some sort of business venture, where the bottom line is all that matters.
And what about the harm caused by standardized testing? Let me tell you, it's enough to make your head spin. Teachers are forced to teach to the test instead of actually educating their students. Students are reduced to nothing more than a number on a piece of paper. And parents are left feeling helpless, watching as their children's love of learning is slowly sucked out of them.
But wait, it gets worse. The extreme annual cost of standardized testing is enough to make your eyes water. We're talking billions of dollars here, folks. And for what? So that some rich folks can pat themselves on the back and say they're making a difference in education? Give me a break.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about the teachers and parents groups fighting to end standardized testing? Surely they can make a difference?" And you know what? You're absolutely right. These folks are the real heroes in this story. They're the ones who are standing up to the powers that be and saying, "Enough is enough."
So let's give a round of applause to these teachers and parents groups. Let's give them the recognition they deserve for fighting for what's right. And let's not forget that the only thing standardized testing really measures is the level of poverty of the group of students. It's a sad truth, but it's a truth nonetheless.
And finally, let's talk about the billionaires and foundations supporting continued standardized testing. Who are they, you ask? Well, let me name some names for you. We've got the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, just to name a few. These folks have more money than they know what to do with, and yet they insist on throwing it at a failed system.
In conclusion, standardized testing is a joke. It's a waste of time, money, and resources. It's time for our legislators, congress, and policy makers to wake up and realize that education is not a business venture. It's time for them to listen to the teachers and parents who are fighting for what's right. And it's time for us to say enough is enough. Let's put an end to standardized testing once and for all.
Here is a list of teachers unions and groups that support ending standardized testing:
- American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
- National Education Association (NEA)
- California Teachers Association (CTA)
- New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)
- National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- FairTest
- Rethinking Schools
- National Center for Fair and Open Testing (FairTest)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Here is a list of corporate reformers, billionaires, and foundations supporting continued standardized testing:
- Bill Gates
- Eli Broad
- Walton Family Foundation
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Lumina Foundation
- Thomas B. Fordham Institute
- American Enterprise Institute
- Center for American Progress
- Brookings Institution
It is important to note that there is a diversity of opinion on the issue of standardized testing, and not all of the groups listed above agree on every aspect of the issue. However, they all share a common concern about the negative impact that standardized testing can have on students, teachers, and schools.
Here are some of the specific concerns that these groups have about standardized testing:
- Standardized tests are often biased against certain groups of students, such as students of color, students from low-income families, and English language learners.
- Standardized tests can lead to narrowing the curriculum, as teachers focus on teaching to the test rather than teaching for understanding.
- Standardized tests can create a stressful and anxiety-ridden environment for students, teachers, and parents.
- Standardized tests can be used to make unfair decisions about students, teachers, and schools.
These are just some of the reasons why many people believe that standardized testing should be ended.