LJ Idol Week 4, in which standardized testing needs to get off all our damn backs

[porn_this_way]

{Note - links are made available in the name of "cite your sources if you're gonna talk smack" and for additional info if desired, but they're not remotely necessary reading. In other words - yes this entry stands alone, no you don't have to click a bunch of crap. So! Onward

Comments

[kajel]

I am signing my first born up for kindergarten this week. *cries* It really is too bad you no longer have that picture! ;) I always love reading you stuff.

[porn_this_way]

Fight the man, man! [/stereotypical stoner voice] Best of luck to your kiddo in kindergarten.

And I really wish I still had the Godzilla pic too! I thought it was on my old phone but apparently it's not. Woe ;_;

[tatdatcm]

AMEN to this post! I hate standardized testing an especially hate that that's what is taught instead of pertinent academics.

My son walked out of his first day of testing this spring and refused to go in on the second day. He gets special accommodations because of his IEP, so he's not tested in a traditional classroom setting, but I was all for it. It felt great to "stick it to the man". :)

[porn_this_way]

HELL YEAH!!! *huge-ass intarwebz high five* Good for him, and good for you for standing behind him! The more parents and students who do this, the less the Powers That Be will be able to do a damn thing about it. What are they gonna do, expel every high school student in the country and keep everyone from graduating? Fight the good fight!

[porn_this_way]

It's gotten to such an absurd point, it'd be hilarious if it weren't so completely tragic and terrifying. And unfortunately, I think a lot of states are culprits :\

[whipchick]

"no you don't have to click a bunch of crap."

And I so thank you for that :)

This is so true - did you see the article in Slate about the mom who opted out and how the school CAME TO THEIR HOUSE to pressure them into doing it?

I love your war stories. I also love how your Godzilla float trashes the test, and I bet no-one caught on.

[porn_this_way]

Oh ye gods, if the Slate thing is the instance I'm thinking of, then yes. Is this the one where the mom got home from work and found someone from the school in her home trying to administer the test to her kid who she'd intentionally kept home? Because we had that happen here in TX (not sure exactly where, but I remember reading about it on one of the facebook groups) and I remember my first thought was "Huh. Texas state law is pretty damn clear about what we get to do if an unwelcome intruder comes into our homes and tries to do something harmful to our family members. I hope Mom's got a good carpet cleaning service on speed dial."

There were a couple of peeps who caught onto the Godzilla message, abut they were people who either knew me, new my accomplice, or knew both of us, and knew we were always drumming up subversive shit. Everyone else? Thought it was "cute" and "creative" and didn't get that it was a huge slam against the test. N00bz.

[faerie_spark]

I knew testing was bad, but had no idea school authorities went to such inhumane lengths!

[porn_this_way]

It's fucking insane! During the staff development session where they were talking about proper procedures for administering the test, they were actually trying to tell us that if the fucking fire alarm went off, we were supposed to take the time to collect the tests from the kids and store them in a "secure location" before exiting the building. Um, yeah, lemme think about that....NO. If the bloody fire alarm goes off, the only things I give a damn about saving are my own ass and the kids! Total madhouse, man.