Opting Out - Opinions & Opportunities

In this month's Monthly Review (with it's focus on testing) there is an article on the two opinions on whether parents should opt their children out of the tests.

Interesting – the two opinions are within a union and reflect the differences between the union (mis)leadership and the rank and file. (BTW: Socialist Action has published many articles on this conflict and I also believe a few pamphlets. Not specifically on teacher unions but on the union movement in general.)

“ShouldNew York City Teachers Support Opt Out?” discusses the conflict between the two viewpoints.

There is the point of view of the teachers – the people in the trenches that have to deal with the students, the parents, the administrators, and face the firing squad (metaphorically and literally) if students fail to improve on the government mandated exams. The loss of teaching time, the stress the students face because of the exams, and other issues are discussed.

The other side is, in my opinion, disconnected from the reality of testing. Completely disconnected. Their jobs in the union leadership are basically secure, unless the union folds. (Do they think about that?) I wonder how many of them (if any) are still teaching in the classroom at least part time, if not full time. Are any? Do they even know beyond the typical talking points what teachers are even going through during exam time? Or are they so shielded in their Ivory Tower?

As a teacher, would I opt my children out (if I had any)? Yes. I have yet to see an ounce of legitimate research (peer reviewed) that shows these tests have any value or merit. And my challenges and requests for such literature (and searches for) have turned up nothing. Even colleges are dumping the SAT and ACT because their value is questionable.

Now, to bring this from NYC to the state, and to the local school district. I asked my union president what is NYSUT doing (now) to fight against the use of the exams in teacher evaluations?

The response: Nothing. Because Governor “Status” Cuomo has removed the use of the tests in teacher evaluations, NYSUT is going to wait until 2019 to take any action.

That's three years too late.

The battle against the use of these exams needs to start now because the opponents of teachers and public education are going to use the test results against us now.

The tests this year are being changed – fewer questions and unlimited time for all students – and everyone that is looking to privatize public education is going to use these changes and the results (whether they go up or down) to attack teachers.

So we need to start working against these tests and their illegitimate use now.

And the union (mis)leadership, with their job security intact, will advise us to do nothing until 2019. Three years after our opposition has started their next offensive.

The teachers unions and the public needs to stand against these exams and oppose the use of taxpayer dollars for purchasing them.

Instead the public needs to demand that we look at educational systems and methods that really work and help all students achieve. We need to look at portfolio assessments – which show all of a student's work, not just one type – and better curriculum and standards that relate to the real world of learning and life.

Until then we will still see students dreading school and all the opportunities that education is supposed to offer.