Read the full story from the Washington Post.
Common Core & Testing
The Opt-Out Movement
The ‘Opt Out’ Movement, as supporters are calling it, said taking these standardized tests are just a big waste of time. The purpose of these tests are so schools can properly evaluate how their teachers and students are performing, but the Monroe County Federation of Teachers met to complain about them. The group said these tests are too long and there isn’t any substantial evidence of ‘real changes’ to the schools themselves as a result of taking these exams. In addition, they said results are released too late for parents and students to learn from them.
Source: The Opt-Out Movement
Teacher Evaluations Video from WCNY with our own Rob Stalter
Teacher evaluations- How should good teaching be measured. Should student performance count? By how much? The link between student test scores and teacher evaluations was one reason behind last year’s opt-out movement in New York Schools. Can evaluations improve teaching? And how do we retain the best? Teacher Evaluations, Retention and Development. It’s next on Connect: NY
GTA Today Volume III
There’s information about the Opt Out Movement and more in the latest installment of the GTA TODAY LITE.
Can You File a Growth Score Appeal?
Grades 4-8 ELA and Math teachers, please take note- The form, process, and FAQ are all available here.
There is a deadline for submission: October 19, 2015.
Governor Cuomo Says State Tests Are “Meaningless,” So Why Should Students Do Their Best?
Governor Andrew Cuomo doesn’t understand why students should opt out of state testing, because the tests won’t count against students. Instead, they will be used to rank and evaluate teachers. So, he wonders, why should students opt out?
But the governor is not recognizing the consequences of his statement. As one blogger asked, why should students take the tests if they are meaningless?
That is a good reason to opt out. Why should students waste their time on tests that are meaningless?
But more important, if the students are not motivated to do their best, if they know the tests don’t count, why should teachers be evaluated by their students’ lack of effort? Taking a test is not like stepping on a scale. The scores vary depending on many factors, not least of which is motivation. If students go into the tests knowing they don’t matter, why should they try?
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An Open Letter to Governor Cuomo: Re-think the Regs of APPR
Dear Governor Cuomo:
I have my whole professional educational life been a supporter of teacher accountability. And, as you may know, I sided publicly with the findings in your recent report on the sham of current local teacher effectiveness ratings in New York schools and districts.
However, I have long written and consulted on the need for transparency in assessment and accountability via released tests after they are given – as the Regents did for over 100 years until recently. You simply cannot expect people to trust a system in which the scores are psychometrically generated and where I cannot see, for myself, what was assessed and what the actual results were. It fails as both credible accountability and as feedback to teachers.
More bluntly: Would you accept such a system for yourself?
The cardinal rule in Quality Control as formulated by Edwards Deming is Drive Out Fear. Alas, a…
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Greece Teachers Association 