A Seattle teacher revolt has been ongoing since December. Several teachers in the Seattle area are against standardized testing and they have started a protest against giving the tests in public schools. On March 4, The Inquisitr reported that teachers feel that opponents feel as though these tests take away from "the educational experience of students."
According to the report, teachers are particularly concerned with the multiple-choice Measures of Academic Progress test which students are forced to take a couple of times each year. These tests are required by law thanks to the "No Child Left Behind" act. Since 2002, students have been tested in math and reading and the results have been compared to other students, school districts, and states.
The Seattle teacher revolt may not do much to change the nationwide laws about standardized testing, but according to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, there might be some middle ground to work with. Perhaps students won't have to be tested so frequently, for example. Duncan does say, however, that standardized tested is "necessary."
"The Seattle teachers are not the only ones speaking out against standardized testing. Dozens of high schools in Portland, Oregon, boycotted mandatory state tests. Some states have also passed resolutions demanding that the number of standardized tests be reduced," The Inquisitr reports.
In many ways, the Seattle teacher revolt is a good sign -- and a long time coming. Many students are not good test takers and the amount of time given to take these "fill in the bubble" tests can be exhausting. In general, these tests are draining and teachers realize the pressure that students are under without these tests, never mind with them.
Do you think standardized testing should be cut back in public schools?
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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