Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

teach1st

(5,935 posts)
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 01:31 PM Oct 2015

Obama Administration Calls for Limits on Testing in Schools

Source: New York Times

Faced with mounting and bipartisan opposition to increased and often high-stakes testing in the nation’s public schools, the Obama administration declared Saturday that the push had gone too far, acknowledged its own role in the proliferation of tests, and urged schools to step back and make exams less onerous and more purposeful.

Specifically, the administration called for a cap on assessment so that no child would spend more than 2 percent of classroom instruction time taking tests. It called on Congress to “reduce over-testing” as it reauthorizes the federal legislation governing the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools.

“I still have no question that we need to check at least once a year to make sure our kids are on track or identify areas where they need support,” said Arne Duncan, the secretary of education, who has said he will leave office in December. “But I can’t tell you how many conversations I’m in with educators who are understandably stressed and concerned about an overemphasis on testing in some places and how much time testing and test prep are taking from instruction.”

“It’s important that we’re all honest with ourselves,” he continued. “At the federal, state and local level, we have all supported policies that have contributed to the problem in implementation. We can and will work with states, districts and educators to help solve it.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/us/obama-administration-calls-for-limits-on-testing-in-schools.html

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

teach1st

(5,935 posts)
2. Yup!
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 01:45 PM
Oct 2015

Maybe they'll learn that we really do know what we're doing. That's doubtful, of course, but maybe someday.

teach1st

(5,935 posts)
3. I need a plot line
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 01:49 PM
Oct 2015

I'd like to know the drama behind this unexpected move. Has Arne been pressured by his successor to announce this now or have the hidden parts of his budget made public? Did President Obama himself finally wake up to the problem? Did Pearson suddenly drop its clandestine financial support? Did Michelle Obama blackmail Arne by threatening to disclose an alleged affair with Michelle Rhee unless he eased up on the testing? Have I been watching too much Netflix?

 

sulphurdunn

(6,891 posts)
5. The problem is not with the time
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 02:39 PM
Oct 2015

spent taking standardized tests, nor with the number of tests taken, although there is too much of both. The problem is with the amount of time spent preparing to take them, the fact that instruction revolves around them, the waste of vast sums of money on them and the punitive consequences of failing them.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
10. Private Test Companies ARE Making a Fortune on the Testing Craze
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 04:30 PM
Oct 2015

The McGraws of McGraw-Hill are close friends of the Bushes. Privatizing education started with the Bush Administration. McGraw Hill owns Princeton Testing Services...ding..ding we have a winner! Testing companies are doing well, another way to put public money into private hands and to intimidate our school population so they can "learn their place" in the underclass and learn to be afraid of authority.

liberal_at_heart

(12,081 posts)
7. Does that mean Arne Duncan will give WA schools the NCLB waiver it needs in order for
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 03:00 PM
Oct 2015

its schools not to be considered failing anymore? I don't trust Duncan or Obama. Words are just words. All politicians are smooth talkers. I want to see action.

Locrian

(4,522 posts)
8. that is a GREAT thing
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 03:14 PM
Oct 2015

If you want to read how bad it can get, read: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon: Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World

http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Afraid-Big-Bad-Dragon/dp/1118487133/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445714052&sr=8-1&keywords=whos+afraid+of+the+big+bad+dragon


http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/nov/20/myth-chinese-super-schools/

If the West is concerned about being overtaken by China, then the best solution is “to avoid becoming China.”

The United States is already ensnared in the testing obsession that has trapped China. It is not too late to escape. Parents and educators across the nation are up in arms about the amount of instructional time now devoted to test preparation and testing. Yong Zhao offers wise counsel. We should break our addiction to standardized testing before we sacrifice the cultural values that have made our nation a home to innovation, creativity, originality, and invention
.

pnwmom

(108,977 posts)
9. At last! I hope they succeed in pushing this through. The profit-making test companies
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 03:38 PM
Oct 2015

were the only ones benefiting from this overemphasis on standardized tests.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
11. Maybe Arne Got the Boot after Obama Woke Up? No, It's Election Time for Teachers
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 04:33 PM
Oct 2015

Arne Duncan left his post as Sect'y of Education and now we have testing being cut back. It must be election time and they so need the votes and support of teachers after dumping on them for 8 years. That's why.

liberal_at_heart

(12,081 posts)
12. good point. It is election season. That means it is promise season.
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 04:39 PM
Oct 2015

I don't vote based on promises. I vote based on a politician's voting record.

Response to teach1st (Original post)

Person 2713

(3,263 posts)
14. Gee wonder how much it will cost (and who will profit) to solve the problems they created????
Sat Oct 24, 2015, 11:09 PM
Oct 2015
money scam after money scam
Kids? Zip nada
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Obama Administration Call...