-----Original Message-----
From: John Konopak [mailto:the_left_rev@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2000 9:45 PM
To: nate_schmolze@yahoo.com
Subject: Fwd: New RS criticizes "value-added" testing and has three articles
on criticalteaching
nate--knowing the interest on the xmca list in these matters, esp. from ken
goodman and others, i forward this thru you cuz im not at the machine from
which im signed onto the list...and ask you consider forwarding it,,,no bugs
afaik
tanx
>From: REPMilw@aol.com
>To: RScriticalteach@lists.execpc.com
>Subject: New RS criticizes "value-added" testing and has three articles on
>critical teaching
>Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 18:47:05 -0400 (EDT)
>
>Dear friends on the RS critical list serv,
>
>Below is a press release on the new issue of RS (Summer 2000- vol. 14.4)
>that focuses on some anti-testing struggles. I wanted to highlight a
>couple of other articles that might be of particular interest to this
>list serv:
>
>Operation Bearlift by Katy Lyman. A second grade teacher, weary of
>gimmicks such as Gum Day and Hat Day turns to social action build
>classroom community. p. 10
>
>The Tea Party, by Linda Christensen. A high school English teacher uses a
>"tea party" -- in which students give brief previews of good books -- to
>entice reluctant readers to read. p. 12.
>
>Raising Children's Cultural Voices, by Berta Rosa Beriz. A Third Grae
>teacher descriges how she uses chidlren' writing to expand cultural
>awareness and teach Spanish and English in a two-way blingual program. p.
>6.
>
>If people want multiple copies to distribute to a conference in the next
>few weeks please contact Mike Trokan at the Rethinking Schools office.
>
>Bob Peterson
>
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 22, 2000
>
>For more information: Leon Lynn, 414/964-9646
> rsleon@execpc.com
>
>
>Questioning the Value of Value-Added Testing
>
>
>MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- With little input from teachers or families, and
>despite warnings from nationally recognized experts on assessment, the
>Milwaukee School Board is moving to quickly and drastically expand the
>district's standardized testing program.
>
>The Summer 2000 issue of Rethinking Schools explains why this so-called
>"value-added testing" scheme -- which would require even kindergartners
>to start taking standardized tests -- would actually hinder teaching and
>learning.
>
>Value-added testing, and other plans to hold schools accountable based on
>standardized test scores, are increasingly popular nationwide. They give
>politicians and pundits a handy set of numbers for determining which
>schools are "successful." But standardized tests don't help teachers
>assess the needs of the kids in a particular classroom or modify teaching
>practice to serve them better. And schools, fearful of sanctions for low
>test scores, pressure teachers to focus on memorization and low-level
>skills, instead of encouraging students to think more critically or in
>depth. Anything that the test doesn't measure becomes superfluous.
>
>The real problem in Milwaukee and other urban school districts isn't a
>lack of data, Rethinking Schools argues, but a lack of focus on how to
>promote academic achievement. Instead of spending money on testing, for
>example, school districts should be creating programs that push teachers
>to be more effective and creative in their teaching.
>
>Also in the Summer 2000 issue:
>
>o A Vision of School Reform -- The editors of Rethinking Schools offer a
>working draft of eight principles to guide school reform.
>
>o Parents Protest Budget Cuts: Milwaukee's school district faces a $32
>million budget shortfall in 2000-01, but the school board isn't
>aggressively fighting for more money. How parents in the district have
>organized protests and political action.
>
>o Teaching in Dangerous Times: Hollywood likes to make movies about
>teachers overcoming classrooms full of hostile, even dangerous students.
>But the biggest danger facing teachers today comes not from savage kids,
>but a savage culture of testing that focuses on scrutinizing teachers
>instead of not training them, and often pushes people of color away from
>teaching.
>
>o The Case for Smaller Classes: An interview with Alex Molnar of the
>Center for Education Research, Analysis, and Innovation at the University
>of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on research in Milwaukee and Tennessee that shows
>smaller classes promote learning.
>
>o Raising Children's Cultural Voices: How a two-way bilingual program in
>Boston uses children's writing to expand cultural awareness and teach
>both Spanish and English.
>
>o A Journey to Openness -- An elementary school educator tells the story
>of his journey from closeted teacher to openly gay administrator.
>
>o When Schools Compete: Lessons to be learned from New Zealand's
>experiences with choice, decentralization, and market-based school
>reforms.
>
>o Voucher Backers Illegally Funnel Money: How voucher advocates poured
>money into the 1997 election campaign of a Wisconsin Supreme Court judge,
>who then cast a swing vote in favor of vouchers in 1998.
>
>o Voucher School CEO Sentenced to Jail: The head of one Milwaukee voucher
>school draws a six-month sentence for tax fraud connected to another
>venture, as the sentencing judge calls the voucher program "easy pickings
>for people who are not inclined to be honest."
>
>o Defending Freedom of the Press -- a middle school student in Oregon
>organizes to defend an "underground" student newspaper.
>
>
>Founded in 1986 by classroom teachers, Rethinking Schools is an
>award-winning independent publisher of educational materials. We advocate
>the reform of public elementary and secondary schools, with special
>emphasis on equity, social justice, and issues affecting urban schools.
>
>FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Leon Lynn at 414-964-9646
>or rsleon who-is-at execpc.com.
>
>##
>
>Individual copies of this issue are available from Rethinking Schools for
>$7.00, which includes postage and handling. Annual subscriptions to the
>quarterly journal are $12.50.
>
>Free review copies are available to the media. Call 800-669-4192 to order.
>
>Articles from the current issue are also available on our Web site,
>www.rethinkingschools.org.
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jun 01 2000 - 01:01:37 PDT