seattle teachers refuse to test

One of several terracotta insignia on Garfield High School, Seattle, Washington, this one for Arts & Crafts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of several terracotta insignia on Garfield High School, Seattle, Washington, this one for Industry. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of several terracotta insignia on Garfield High School, Seattle, Washington, this one for Intelligence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Garfield High School teachers say “NO!” to high stakes testing | Seattle Education: "    “Our teachers have come together and agree that the MAP test is not good for our students, nor is it an appropriate or useful tool in measuring progress,” says Kris McBride, who serves as Academic Dean and Testing Coordinator at Garfield.  “Additionally, students don’t take it seriously.  It produces specious results, and wreaks havoc on limited school resources during the weeks and weeks the test is administered.”"

Testing Our Limits: 
“I got 162,” said Jasmine. “You got 142.”
“You did better than me,” replied Jayden with a frown.
Shelly sat at the third computer. “I don’t wanna do the computer test,” she pleaded. “Do I have to?” ...

"As educators and parents, we need to be honest about how computerized testing serves to emphasize economic disparities. We can speak out about how it takes away valuable instructional time and returns little helpful information. We need to push district administrations to reevaluate the quality and usefulness of all computerized testing and demand other, more meaningful, forms of assessment. And we can urge our unions to support teachers and parents who challenge the inappropriate use of tests.

Unless we stand together, erroneous computer data and educational officials detached from the realities of teaching will continue to determine our students’ futures."

• Online Petition
• The letter from the teachers at Garfield High School regarding the MAP test | Seattle Education:
• Teachers refuse to give standardized test at Seattle high schools — Update:
• FaceBook Solidarity Page
• The Weekly Update: What can I say…Seattle teachers rock!!!! | Seattle Education: "On January 27th at 1:00 PM PST, Parents Across America will be hosting a webcast titled High Stakes Testing and Opting Out: What every parent should know. Our guests will be Monty Neill with Fair Test, Shaun Johnson and Tim Slekar with United Opt Out and a Garfield High School teacher representing the teachers of Garfield High School who are opting out of giving the MAP test to their students."