Teachers of Garfield High School in Seattle Say No!

[Coyotl]

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/01/10/teachers-of-garfield-high-school-in-seattle-say-no/
January 10, 2013 //

By unanimous vote, the entire faculty at Garfield High School in Seattle voted not to administer the MAP test of reading and mathematics.

This is the first time, to my knowledge, that the faculty of an entire school refused to give mandated tests.

The action of the Garfield High School faculty could have national ramifications because it shows other teachers that there is strength in unity and that they do not have to endure unethical demands with passivity and resignation.

For their courage, their integrity, and their intelligence, I add the faculty of Garfield High School to the honor roll as champions of public education.

The teachers agreed that the tests are a waste of time and money. ..........

[HiPointDem]

1. 1, 2, 100 Garfields! (Alma mater of jimi hendrix, bruce lee, quincy jones & ernestine anderson...)

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030527&slug=spotlight27

there's some excellence for you!

[UnrepentantLiberal]

2. That's quite a roster.

[freeplessinseattle]

6. Plus Obama spoke there in 2006:) n/t

[ancianita]

3. Same thing was done at Curie High School in Chicago a few years ago. It sent a ripple of fear

across the central office, but the principal and local school council backed them up, so no mass firings were imminent, just ongoing pressure to do what the other 90 high schools did.

For any "innovative treadmill" pretext or "reform initiative," mass layoffs of faculties are a regular occurrence in Chicago. It's part of the ongoing war of attrition against AFT Local #1. I wonder if Seattle teachers face some of the same administrative actions.

[freshwest]

7. Washington state had enough Teabaggers and fools to pass a charter schools initiative in 2012.

The traditional consensus has been lost. The progressives are fighting back. The push for bad initatives like that are coming from the voting block of megachurch zealots, along with baggers and libertarians to defund social services and privatize what's left with no accountability. The have put the public workers and their unions on the ropes. The mantra from conservative sources in media - which are almost all of them now - is making it mainstream. The state is on the cusp of a lot of very bad things - most done by stealth over the last ten years - but now gathering steam.

[southernyankeebelle]

4. These test stress the kids out for sure. I remember going to the high school where my

son attended in back in the late 90s or early 20s (can't remember, am having a senior moment). These kids where having to take a test on work they never did or studied in the first place. The teacher tried to help give them idea a couple of days before the test. But just looking at the class you could see the kids were having a hard time. Alot of these kids were in special classes. It really sadden me to see what was going on. The teacher was really upset because she really cared for the kids. It really does discourages teaches and question themselves why they are there. Sometimes you can't fight the system.

[LiberalEsque01]

8. I wish

I hadn't needed to take finals to get my bachelor's almost a month ago now. Talk about stress!

[southernyankeebelle]

9. I bet it was. I was never a good test taker.

[liberal_at_heart]

5. Good for them!