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* Interesting…
A group of progressive aldermen lobbying Senate Pres Cullerton today to pass elected school board bill that @RahmEmanuel is opposed to
— Paris Schutz (@paschutz) April 6, 2016
* And from the Sun-Times…
As state standardized testing continues in its second week, about 20 parents picketed outside the North Side office of the Illinois Senate president, demanding that he unblock a bill that lets parents opt their children out of such tests.
“This is the bill that allows parents to have a voice in whether or not their kids take standardized tests,” said Vanessa Caleb Herman, a parent with children at Waters and Coonley elementary schools. “Against the odds it passed the House last year and now it’s ready to shrivel and die on the desk of the Senate president, which is ridiculous. Just put it in committee and put it out for discussion and see what the people want.” […]
Cullerton spokesman John Patterson said the bill remains “in the review process.” […]
What needs reviewing, Patterson continued, is the concern that federal funding could be jeopardized if 95 percent of eligible students statewide don’t participate in the test.
Both of these issues are opposed by Mayor Emanuel. Cullerton is one of the last and by far the strongest real allies he has. I don’t see him moving any time soon, despite this widespread impression of hizzoner…
"I don't believe Mayor Emanuel is either admired or feared now" — @fspielman going hard out of the gate at #talkcityclub
— Daniel X. O'Neil (@danxoneil) April 6, 2016
* Related…
* Charter school supporters make annual trip to Springfield
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 3:51 pm
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===”This is the bill that allows parents to have a voice in whether or not their kids take standardized tests,”===
I understand that there are those who believe CPS uses too many tests, and that some teachers therefore only “teach to the test.” I get that concern, that’s easy to understand.
But even home-schooled kids take standardized tests. How else can we measure progress? And if parents are allowed to easily opt-out, then the overall test results become flawed and there is no valid way to measure teaching and learning.
Surely there is a better argument for an elected school board than this.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:04 pm
“I don’t believe Mayor Emanuel is either admired or feared now”
Disagree. Many still fear him.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:17 pm
I do not get the fear of a standardized test. Why not see how your kid s dong? Are you gong to refuse take ACT or a SAT because it is ’standadized’?
As to charter schools; that can of worms will make Silver Shovel and Graylord look like child’s play (pun intended)
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:26 pm
@Saint- the argument on tests is that there are too many of them, too much of the school year is devoted to test prep rather than subject matter instruction, they are not well designed, they do not measure learning, they are used for punitive actions rather than remedial steps; the list goes on.
Comment by Elo Kiddies Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:30 pm
47th Ward - just to let you know from what I have read about homeschooling in Illinois, including information from ISBE, homeschoooled students in Illinois are not required to take standardize tests.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:31 pm
===homeschoooled students in Illinois are not required to take standardize tests.===
But they can still take them, they can opt-in. And many home schooled children take the ACT and SAT because they haven’t yet figured out how to home school a college degree.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:34 pm
I think this is more about the PARCC test and Common Core, not other forms of standardized testing. It’s possible schools will be allowed to opt out, eventually. In the meantime, why jeopardize the one source of funding (federal) not tied to this crazy budget impasse?
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:34 pm
From a dated (1988) New York Times article about several New Jersey cities debating the same question - I suspect this is still true today:
– Adding to the confusion are a number of national studies that indicate that no one system produces a stronger school board than the other. Rather, the studies say that it is the community’s attitude toward its schools, as measured by its interest, responsiveness, enthusiam and pride, that largely determines how effective a board will be. –
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:54 pm
My understanding is that in Chicago some local school council elections are highly competitive and others barely have enough interest to fill the ballot.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 4:55 pm
===this is more about the PARCC test and Common Core, not other forms of standardized testing.===
Some of the objections are coming from teachers who don’t want to be evaluated based on how their students perform on these tests. I understand that concern too, but again, I don’t think this is the most compelling reason to elect a school board. We still need a fair and accurate way to evaluate teachers and their curriculum, don’t we?
I think whoever organized a picket line outside John Cullerton’s office is hoping that CTU can dominate an elected school board. And if the teachers have a strong say in school policy, the tests will be the first thing to go.
But that’s just my opinion.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 5:07 pm
Old news, but the test is reportedly worse this year than it was last year… A letter from a Superintendent who actually tried to take the latest test himself:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/01/26/school-superintendent-writes-warning-letter-on-parcc-common-core-test/
Comment by Justin Observer Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 5:15 pm
==We still need a fair and accurate way to evaluate teachers and their curriculum, don’t we?==
It’s not our curriculum, we don’t get to choose which curriculum is delivered. The objection of evaluations based on testing concerns the same grade level expectations for all students, no matter where they test before you receive them. Evaluations based on actual growth are more realistic, including other outside factors that may affect this growth, like attendance and classroom behavior.
Parent and student objections are based on the PARCC test, specifically, as we’ve seen with many students in certain districts opting out last year.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 5:20 pm
The proliferation of standardized tests are a racket, just like the proliferation of charter schools.
They’re both big scores for the bipartisan cheap hustlers out there. K-12 is the new honey pot, as our governor, MJM, UNO and all their cronies know fo-shore.
If the question is, “Is our children learning?” ask them if they have a public library card and have checked out a book lately.
If they can do the multiplication table, you know they have the goods to lifelong learning.
Like the man said, “in a child’s power to master the multiplication table there is more sanctity than in all your shouted “Amens!”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 5:59 pm
The new Federal law, ESSA which replaced No Child Left Behind, states that students/parents have a RIGHT to opt out.
So ESSA says two contradictory things: students/parents have a right to opt out AND a State must meet the requirement that 95 percent of its students take the test.
Comment by winners and losers Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 6:25 pm
Where is the legislation for an elected CTA Board, or Park District Board, or any of the other “sister agencies”?
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:14 pm
To PM…THANK you for reminding us…Good idea!
Comment by Leapfrog Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:39 pm