Audrey writes.. "The accountability measures, which are all about testing, do not look at academic growth, they look only at proficiency, and a line drawn in the sand by legislslators who are far removed from the actual classroom experiences, by which they will determine winners and losers."
I see these testing measures as a good thing. Too often the school system is willing to allow students not to achieve. The testing standards set a base line of knowledge and it's up to the school system to figure out how to get the kids to meet that base line. An example: if little Johnny can't add fractions find a way to help him. I see that as a positive thing. It's all about accountability to the kids and making sure that they have an equal chance to make it in the real world. Learn the basics and they will take you far. Mastery of the basics is what is expected out of our school systems, and we should be satisfied with nothing less. Of the teachers I know, they enjoy helping students figure something for the first time. Let's allow teachers to teach. Get away from micro-managing subject matter, and allow teachers to teach. Set guidelines and standards, hold teachers and schools accountable for results, and fill in the gaps. Some school system administrators and some state legislators seem to be more concerned about social engineering than about producing well educated kids. That needs to stop!! Steve Sumner Ward 1 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
