Content tagged: standards and testing

Maryland First State to Bar Schools Releasing Tests to Military

Posted on May 14, 2010

Note, it is interesting that this does not mention, or appear to address, provisions of NCLB requiring schools to pass on student information to military recruiters unless parents explicitly notify the school otherwise. — MG * * * by Kathleen Miller http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/05/13-8 ANNAPOLIS,...

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Race to the Top Assessment Program: Part II – The Political Significance of Assessment Governance

Posted on May 11, 2010

RTTT is the "Carrot That Feels Like a Stick," says Mike Petrilli (of all people). He "can’t help but feel remorse for the death of federalism." As I prepare for a talk at DePaul University tomorrow, I’m...

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Race to the Top Assessment Program: Part 1 – Danger, Will Robinson, Irrational Discourse Ahead!

Posted on May 10, 2010

Anyone who has read my book or heard me speak about testing might think that I would be happy with the change in language evident in Obama’s Department of Education Executive Summary of the Race to the Top Assessment Program. Not only do...

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Preparing for Tests, Learning…?

Posted on March 2, 2010

As I read Cohen and Moffitt’s, The Ordeal of Equality, I could not help but make some connections to a recent Schools Matter post on high stakes testing. One of my “favorite”...

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Review of “A Measure of Failure: The Political Origins of Standardized Testing”

Posted on February 24, 2010

The February issue of Counseling Today carries a review of my book by Aaron W. Hughey, professor of counseling and student affairs, Western Kentucky University. The essay begins: “True or false: Proponents of standardized testing are, unintentionally or otherwise, pushing an agenda that intrinsically advocates racism and socioeconomic oppression. Intrigued?...

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Realism and Social Change

Posted on February 22, 2010

In corresponding with Cassiodorus about my book, the question of social change took center stage. When you argue for social change you inevitably come up against the claims of “realism” — we can’t change this or that because to do so would be “unrealistic.” This is the argument typically...

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Are Tests Measures of Test Taking Ability?

Posted on February 22, 2010

In a recent discussion of my book, A Measure of Failure, the typical argument against any critique of standardized testing was issued in response to a favorable review of the book’s main points. In the comments we read: “A math test, such as the math...

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Labor Beat Chicago Video Exposes Duncan’s Record

Posted on September 26, 2009

From substancenews.net: George N. Schmidt – September 26, 2009 The Chicago labor news organization Labor Beat is still circulating the hit video about Arne Duncan and his work in Chicago at http://blip.tv/file/2428857 As it becomes more and more clear to more and...

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“Best Urban School District in America” Blocks Access to Websites Critical of “Education Reform”

Posted on September 23, 2009

Reports on Gerald Bracey’s Education Disinformation and Detection Reporting Agency email discussion listserv indicate that teachers, students and administrators in the Aldine Independent School District, Houston, Texas are blocked from viewing at least two websites offering alternative views of “education reform” in the United States. Based on...

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“A Measure of Failure” Ready for Order!

Posted on September 16, 2009

After what seemed like ages, my first book, A Measure of Failure: The Political Origins of Standardized Testing, is now shipping! From the Summary posted on the SUNYPress website: A Measure of Failure asks how and why standardized tests have become the ubiquitous standard by...

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