In a message dated 4/2/2005 5:39:20 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Are these tests based on the "Every Child Left Behind Act"? Yes. The MCA's and BST's are Minnesota's response to the testing required in No Child Left Behind. There are a lot of issues associated with high stakes testing, including: -children vomiting from stress -class time spent preparing for the tests versus more productive learning -teacher stress/pressure rubbing off on kids; increasing turnover/attrition -questions around implementation and timelines More information is available at _www.parentsunited.org/Testing.html_ (http://www.parentsunited.org/Testing.html) It's important to keep in mind though that Minnesota is implementing several education reform efforts, including Standards Based Reform - implementing academic standards No Child Left Behind - implementing the federal law that includes provisions around labeling schools as "failing"; financial sanctions for schools; school choice; teacher quality; supplemental services, etc. There's a great deal of concern about how these and other federal/state mandates are diverting dollars from schools. People interested in taking action on these issues should check out _www.parentsunitednetwork.org_ (http://www.parentsunitednetwork.org) --Jennifer Armstrong Payne/Phalen ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
