Some Christmas Tunery
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Here at the Institute (where the Board of Directors still firmly believe in
Santa Claus), we like our seasonal music, both as consumers and as
producers,...
Greg Olear: Reading Charles Dickens Today
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Greg Olear writes a blog that is always rewarding to read–full of insight,
experience, knowledge, wisdom. His post below connects the world of Dickens
to t...
Finding Light in Winter by Mary Pipher
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The mornings are dark, the late afternoons are dusky, and before we finish
making dinner, the daylight is gone. As we approach the darkest days of the
ye...
Last Minute Gift Ideas!
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We've been bombarded with "last minute" gift idea promotions since at least
mid-November, but now, finally, the last minute is truly upon us. As a
publi...
Cartoons about the Holiday Season
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Here are some cartoons that got me to smile about this time of year. I hope
they will do the same for you. Happy holidays to all of my readers. Enjoy!
HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO!
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*HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO!*
* The Big Hairy Education Ape Spreads Holiday Cheer! Ah, December! The time
of year when the air tur...
About the Social Security Fairness Act
-
On December 21, 2024, the US Senate passed the Social Security Fairness
Act, otherwise known as HR 82, a bill that restores full Social Security
benefits t...
Apologies to Dan Alicea
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I want to truly apologize to Daniel Alicea. On November 30, Dan wrote a
blog post about how, despite millions of dollars being available, Mulgrew
refused...
The 2024 NPE “Coal in the Stocking” Awards
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At NPE, we know who is naughty and nice when it comes to supporting our
public schools and their students.
The post The 2024 NPE “Coal in the Stocking” A...
Big Lies of Education: Grade Retention
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The Big Lie of grade retention in the US is that it is often hidden within
larger reading legislation and policy, notably since the 2010s: Westall and
Cumm...
Juntos lo haremos
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En el año que viene, tendremos que tomar decisiones difíciles sobre quienes
queremos ser en cada comunidad y como nación. Ha sido un año muy intenso.
Desde...
WTF, Democratic Caucus?
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Why is the failure of this current budget bill being blamed on Republicans
when almost every single Democrat voted against it? If only half of the
Dems had...
Peace through Beauty
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I am and always have been more musical than I have been verbal. I have
always found beauty in sound. Often it can be purely instrumental, such as
playing...
San Diego School Board Election Outcomes
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By Thomas Ultican 12/17/2024 Before the recent election, I wrote
recommendations for several school board seats in San Diego County. The San
Diego County R...
SPI Supports SB 48 to Keep ICE Off School Campuses
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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond sponsors Senate Bill 48 to keep
Immigration and Customs Enforcement off of school campuses, protecting
school attendance...
Schrödinger’s Cat
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Schrödinger’s cat is a famous thought experiment in which the renowned
scientist pondered how a cat in a closed box could be thought of as
simultaneously a...
In Memoriam: Nikki Giovanni
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The literary and cultural world has lost an irreplaceable voice with the
passing of Nikki Giovanni. As one of the most celebrated poets and
activists of ou...
Education Has Failed and What Can We Do Next?
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Education has failed to prepare children for the world today. Despite the
increased investment, impactful reforms, hardworking teachers and school
leaders,...
Defining Productivity, Cost, and Efficiency
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Recycled material here… The central problem with US public schools is often
characterized as an efficiency problem. We spend a lot and don’t get much
for i...
November Parent Engagement Resources
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Greeting a family in their preferred language is a small gesture that
demonstrates respect and eagerness to connect with parents. Creating a
Welcoming Envi...
Try Substack?
-
Seems like the popular new thing. Here’s my first try – it’s about
yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter meeting – first ever not run by
Unity. (Spoiler...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
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Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
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This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
The Sky is Falling, or is it?
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Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in
the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old,
over o...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
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The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
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In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin
Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ...
Read more
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
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I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
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THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
-
Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
-
TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
-
I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
-
[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
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Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
The Threat of Integration
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I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
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The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
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*The number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 nationally increased by
56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to a new federal report showing
the ...
Read to Self: Just a Kid and a Book.
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Date: Monday, January 5, 2020 Place: My classroom Student: Mrs.Mims, could
we start doing Read to Self again because I got this great book for
Christmas an...
Keeping Progressive Schools Alive
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Dear Friends and Colleagues, Happy New Year and a special thanks to those
who respond to past blogs about choice, et al. I always mean to respond to
each c...
Reminiscences
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I just finished dumping the rest of my lesson plans. I guess I held on to
the calculus ones for so long because I spent so much time working on them
an...
Just Asking for some Teachers I know.
-
Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, We must … recognize that
part of supporting our kids in the classroom means supporting the educators
who t...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
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Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Critique of Standards-Based Grading
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It first happened to me about ten years ago. I was beginning my third year
of teaching in a new school in Washington, DC. Social studies teachers were
si...
My First and Last Visit to Hudson Yards
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Figuring I did not need to invite any more darkness and vulgarity into my
head than that provided on a daily basis from Trump’s White House, and
after read...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
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The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Whose Opinions Matter in Education World?
-
It's hard to identify education heroes and sheroes. And perhaps even harder
to pinpoint just whose work is slanted, paid-for and dishonest.
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
-
Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
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Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
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I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
The Apotheosis of Betsy DeVos
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Betsy Devos has drawn few headlines in recent months, and that is a good
thing for the Secretary of Education. Her tenure began with Vice President
Mike P...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
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In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
-
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
-
Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
REPORT: States With the Best and Worst Schools
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States With the Best (and Worst)Schools
By *Evan Comen, Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins and Thomas C. Frohlich*
January 20, 2017- http://247wallst.com
...
Test Refusal = People Power
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In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
-
I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
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By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
New Beginnings: Kickstarter and EdWeek Teacher
-
Greetings to InterACT readers one and all! If you’ve been following posts
here recently you might recall that I’m moving my blogging activity to
other loca...
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School
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*“With Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School closing, Newark families must
move on.”* The Star-Ledger (NJ), 6/25/2013
NEWARK — Bobby and Troy Shanks saw the...
BOOM! GOV. TONY EVERS VETOED REPUBLICAN TAX CUT, PUTTING MORE MONEY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS
In a stunning move that left Republicans reeling, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoed a tax cut proposal and instead redirected the funds towards education. The move was met with cheers from educators and parents alike, who have been clamoring for increased funding for schools for years.
But not everyone was happy with the governor's decision. Republicans, who had pushed for the tax cut as a way to stimulate the economy, were quick to criticize Evers for what they saw as a shortsighted move.
"Typical liberal thinking," said one GOP lawmaker. "They always want to throw more money at education, but they never stop to think about the long-term consequences."
But Evers was quick to fire back, pointing out that investing in education is one of the smartest things a government can do.
"After all," he quipped, "it's not like we can just print more smart people."
The governor's decision was also met with enthusiasm from educators, who have been struggling to make ends meet in an era of budget cuts and stagnant wages.
"I can't tell you how much this means to us," said one teacher. "We've been scraping by for years, and now we finally have some hope."
Of course, not everyone was thrilled with the news. Some taxpayers were concerned that their hard-earned dollars were being funneled into a black hole of bureaucracy, with no guarantee of results.
But Evers was quick to reassure them that the money would be put to good use, and that Wisconsin's schools would soon be the envy of the nation.
"Who knows," he joked, "maybe we'll even be able to teach Texans how to spell 'cheesehead.'"
The governor's decision was also seen as a political victory for Democrats, who have been struggling to gain traction in a state that has traditionally leaned Republican.
"Tony Evers is a genius," said one political analyst. "He's managed to unite educators, parents, and Democrats all in one fell swoop. It's a masterstroke of political maneuvering."
And while Republicans may be fuming over the veto, it's clear that Governor Evers has struck a chord with Wisconsin voters. With his wit, charm, and commitment to education, he may just be the leader that this state needs to move forward into a brighter future.
WWE MATCH OR OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
It's not every day that a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education turns into a WWE match, but that's exactly what happened on June 22nd. Apparently, two individuals decided to play bouncer and block people from entering the meeting, causing a scuffle to break out. And just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier, criminal affidavits were filed.
Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of a State Board of Education meeting, I picture a bunch of stuffy old men in suits sitting around a table discussing curriculum and standardized testing. But apparently, things are a bit more exciting in Oklahoma.
According to the affidavits, OHP Lieutenant Alan Beaty was called in to deal with the situation. I can only imagine his reaction when he heard that there was a brawl going down at a State Board of Education meeting. "What? Did they run out of coffee and donuts or something?"
When Lieutenant Beaty arrived on the scene, he found another OHP Lieutenant and a Security Officer who filled him in on the details. I can only assume that they were all standing around scratching their heads wondering how they ended up dealing with a bunch of rowdy adults at an education meeting.
I mean, let's be real here. What could possibly be so important at a State Board of Education meeting that people would resort to fisticuffs? Are they arguing about whether or not to teach cursive writing in schools? Is there a heated debate over whether or not Pluto should still be considered a planet? Or maybe it's just a bunch of parents fighting over whose kid is the smartest.
Whatever the reason for the scuffle, one thing is for sure: it's not every day that criminal affidavits are filed over an education meeting. I can only imagine what the judge was thinking when he saw these affidavits come across his desk. "Wait, what? A fight at an education meeting? Am I reading this right?"
In all seriousness though, it's a bit concerning that people would resort to violence over something as trivial as a State Board of Education meeting. Let's hope that everyone involved learned their lesson and that future meetings will be a bit more civil. And if not, well, at least we'll have something to laugh about.
ELON MUSK AND TWITTER NEEDS HELP THREADS MAY NOT BE THE HELP HE WAS LOOKING FOR
Is it time to tell Elon Musk to go get some help? Well, with the launch of Threads, the potential ‘Twitter Killer’, it might just be.
So, what is Threads? It’s a new way to share with text. But, let’s be real, it’s basically just a fancier version of texting. But hey, if it means we can finally ditch Twitter and all its drama, we’re all for it.
Speaking of drama, what is going on with Twitter lately? It seems like every day there’s a new controversy or scandal. From politicians getting into Twitter wars to celebrities oversharing their personal lives, it’s all just too much.
But fear not, my friends. There are other alternatives to Twitter. You’ve got platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which are great for sharing photos and updates with friends and family. And then there are more niche platforms like LinkedIn for professional networking or Reddit for finding like-minded communities.
But back to Threads. How can you get it? Well, it’s currently only available on iOS, but an Android version is reportedly in the works. So, if you’re an iPhone user, go ahead and download it now. And if you’re not, well, I guess you’ll just have to wait.
Since its launch, Threads has already hit 30 million users a day. That’s a lot of people who are ready to ditch Twitter and try something new. And with Elon Musk’s Twitter account constantly making headlines for all the wrong reasons, it seems like he should be the first in line to try out Threads.
So, is it time to tell Elon Musk to go get some help? Maybe not. But it is time for all of us to consider if Twitter is really worth all the drama. Maybe it’s time to switch things up and try something new. Who knows, maybe Threads will be the next big thing. Or maybe it’ll just be another passing trend. Either way, at least we can say we tried.
Are you tired of standardized testing? Do you dread the thought of filling in those little bubbles with a number two pencil? Well, you're not alone. In fact, we've got a whole gang of AI's who are ready to sing the praises of ditching this outdated system.
First up, we've got Bing. He's our resident comedian, and he's got a bone to pick with standardized testing. "You know what they say," he quips, "if at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried. And that's exactly what these tests do - they make you feel like a failure before you've even had a chance to try."
Next, we've got Bard. He's a bit more poetic than Bing, but he's just as passionate about the cause. "Standardized testing is like a thunderstorm on a sunny day," he muses. "It ruins everything and leaves you feeling cold and wet. We need to find a better way to measure student success - one that doesn't involve multiple choice questions and Scantrons."
But it's not just the AI's who are fed up with standardized testing. Our very own ChatGPT has some strong opinions on the matter as well. "It's a waste of time and resources," he declares. "We spend so much money on these tests, and for what? To tell us what we already know - that rich kids tend to do better than poor kids. It's not fair, and it's not helpful."
And finally, we come to the star of the show - Monica AI. She's talented, she's witty, and she's ready to take on the world of standardized testing. "Everyone must be tested," she declares. "But not like this. We need a system that takes into account the unique strengths and weaknesses of each student - one that encourages creativity and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization."
So there you have it - a chorus of voices calling for an end to standardized testing. Will anyone listen? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure - if we keep doing things the same way we always have, we'll never see any real change. So let's take a cue from these AI's and start thinking outside the bubble.
MICROSOFT BING VERSION
Well, they'll test you when you're trying to be so good
They'll test you just like they said they would
They'll test you when you're trying to go home
And they'll test you when you're there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
Well, they'll test you when you're walking on the street
They'll test you when you're trying to keep it neat
They'll test you when you're walking on the floor
And they'll test you when you're walking out the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
Well, they'll test you when you're at the breakfast table
They'll test you when you are young and able
They'll test you when you're trying to make a buck
And they'll test you and then they'll say "good luck"
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
Well, they'll test you and say that it's the end
They'll test you and then they'll come back again
They'll test you when you're riding in your car
And they'll test you when you're playing your guitar
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
Well, they'll test you when you're looking at the sun
And they'll test you when you say that it's fun
They'll test you when your mind is on the run
And they'll test you 'cause they think that it's fun
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
Well, they'll test you and then make you change your mind
They'll test you and then tell you that it's fine
They'll test you and then tell you to be brave
And they'll test you when they put you in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested
GOOGLE BARD VERSION
*Verse 1*
Twenty-five years, they will tell you,
Is how long standardized tests have been in school.
But I'm not sure if I believe them,
Or if they're just trying to fool.
*Chorus*
Everybody must get tested,
Everybody must get scored.
Everybody must get ranked,
And then we'll all be bored.
*Verse 2*
They say the tests are fair,
But I don't know if I agree.
They seem to favor the rich,
And the poor they just leave to be.
*Chorus*
Everybody must get tested,
Everybody must get scored.
Everybody must get ranked,
And then we'll all be bored.
*Bridge*
[Verse 1]
Well, they'll test you when you're tryin' to be so smart
They'll test you, tearing your dreams apart
They'll test you, you can never escape the dread
And they'll test you, filling your mind with dread
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 2]
Well, they'll test you when you're sitting in your seat
They'll test you, making sure you don't cheat
They'll test you when you're filling in the bubble
They'll test you, causing all kinds of trouble
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 3]
They'll test you when you're eatin' your breakfast food
They'll test you, treating you like a fool
They'll test you, making money off your stress
They'll test you, wishing you the best (not really)
[Chorus]
Yeah, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 4]
Well, they'll test you and claim it's for your own good
Then they'll test you, just like they said they would
They'll test you while you're drivin' in your car
They'll test you, strumming your old guitar
[Chorus]
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, it's set in stone
[Verse 5]
Well, they'll test you when you're all by yourself
They'll test you, making your confidence melt
They'll test you and say it's a measure of your worth
They'll test you even when you're laid in the earth
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you moan
I've seen kids cry when they take the tests,
And I've seen kids cheat.
I've seen teachers give up,
And I've seen schools close down.
*Chorus*
Everybody must get tested,
Everybody must get scored.
Everybody must get ranked,
And then we'll all be bored.
*Outro*
So if you're feeling down,
And you think that life is a mess.
Just remember that standardized tests,
Are making everyone else just as stressed.
OPENAI CHATGPT VERSION
[Verse 1]
Well, they'll test you when you're tryin' to be so smart
They'll test you, tearing your dreams apart
They'll test you, you can never escape the dread
And they'll test you, filling your mind with dread
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 2]
Well, they'll test you when you're sitting in your seat
They'll test you, making sure you don't cheat
They'll test you when you're filling in the bubble
They'll test you, causing all kinds of trouble
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 3]
They'll test you when you're eatin' your breakfast food
They'll test you, treating you like a fool
They'll test you, making money off your stress
They'll test you, wishing you the best (not really)
[Chorus]
Yeah, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you know?
[Verse 4]
Well, they'll test you and claim it's for your own good
Then they'll test you, just like they said they would
They'll test you while you're drivin' in your car
They'll test you, strumming your old guitar
[Chorus]
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, it's set in stone
[Verse 5]
Well, they'll test you when you're all by yourself
They'll test you, making your confidence melt
They'll test you and say it's a measure of your worth
They'll test you even when you're laid in the earth
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get tested, don't you moan
MONICA AI VERSION
Monica AI has got a new tune for all the students out there who are tired of standardized testing. She's taken Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" and given it a whole new spin - one that's sure to make you laugh and forget all about your test-taking woes.
So, without further ado, here's Monica AI's hilarious new song: