To borrow from a story run in The Reflector on Feb. 11, 2015 (content provided by the school district), “...some of the tests will be different.” Washington State begins using the Smarter Balanced Tests in April. These tests are all computer based and intended to assess a students absorption of the educational materials being rolled out as part of Common Core.
Before we go any further it will help if you see what the tests are like, how they are worded and then we can continue the conversation. Here is a link to some test question examples:
Click the green box at the bottom of the web page this link takes you to. Follow the instructions.http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/
Next, please read this blog about a school board member who is well educated and then tried taking the test for 10th graders:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/when-an-adult-took-standardized-tests-forced-on-kids/2011/12/05/gIQApTDuUO_blog.html
What is Common Core?
If we use the definition from those who created it: Common Coreis a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts literacy (ELA). These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade.
Those who oppose Common Core might use a different definition: A set of standards developed and produced by a few for-profit companies and ideological groups designed to completely restructure the US Education system to meet their vision of the future and nationalize education.
On the surface their definition sounds reasonable. We all want our children to learn, be able to compete in a global job market and of course have standards that are challenging but achievable. If the “official” definition was true and straight forward there would seem to be few issues. However, the old adage “the devil is in the details” was never more true than with Common Core and its testing.
Common Core introduces a new set of standards but along with those come new teaching materials, text books, tests and a host of other changes that they would have you believe (they say “trust me”) are internationally benchmarked, supported by top educators and the best thing since sliced bread.
The truth is something different. There are literally thousands of pages of reports, documents and research showing that the materials are largely untested, that the book companies and testing companies stand to earn billions (yes billions) of dollars restructuring the US Education System with little input from the people who actually teach. Indeed, a number of the early supporters with national reputations refused to sign off on the end product!
Here are a few thoughts to ponder:
1. The tests rank results from 1 (poor) to 4 (top). The tests are so poorly written and worded and so different from normal language that schools project as many as 30 percent will be rated 1 (failing). Third graders who score 1 are candidates for being held back and will require parent/teacher conferences to come up with a plan over this summer to try and move them to the 4th grade.
2. Parents can choose not to have their children participate in the testing. Each school district is required to provide an Opt-Out form when parents ask for it. The Battle Ground School District says they will hold some parent information meetings in March but it's unknown whether they will proactively provide the Opt-Out form or not.
Parents simply can't trust that the school district will do what's best for the children. The Federal Government (which is legally banned from influencing education at the state level) promised billions of dollars to states if they would accept Common Core. The same Federal Government agreed to waive No Child Left Behind Standards if the Common Core was accepted. So, using the carrot of money and regulation waivers the bait was provided and the fish started feeding.
No one thinks that education can't and shouldn't be refined and continue to be improved. Taking decisions away from parents and teachers means that children will be trained and educated much the way China and other socialist nations are. Lost freedom, lost creativity and loss of control are just some of the issues. Do you want to maintain local control of education or cede it to the Federal Government?
If you have doubts contact your school district and request the Opt-Out form. In the meantime open your web browser and read the FAQ's and download the Common Core Questions Answered document on the right middle of the page:http://www.hslda.org/commoncore/?src=HPhighlights
Finally, take a few minutes to read about the multitude of groups, organizations, blogs and web sites that share information about the testing:http://www.fairtest.org/get-involved/opting-out
Dick Rylander
Battle Ground
