My daughter began the yearly PSSAs today, and my son's schedule was disrupted by the older kids taking them at Lincoln. This was on my mind as I read an interesting letter from a retiring teacher published in the Washington Post a few days ago. His overall point is that many troubling trends in public education-- including standardized high stakes testing-- share a common devaluing of teachers as professionals: "My profession...no longer exists"
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I just learned about an interesting group in the Pittsburgh area-- Yinzercation-- that are trying to organize their community to support public schools. They've done a variety of things to get the message out, including creative online and in-the-streets events that have attracted positive media attention and the attention of state legislatures. Opponents of public education are both vocal and well-organized. Public school supporters should be the same. The relentless focus on standardized tests in the schools needs to be changed. There is an interesting op-ed about parents in the Pittsburgh area who have opted-out of taking the PSSAs. I didn't actually know parents had this choice in PA! Link: "Why I won't let my son take the PSSA" The problem, though, is a few parents doing this as individuals will not help very much in changing the system. They don't constitute a "movement." Change requires a more coordinated and organized effort by parents and educators. Yards signs for the campaign arrived yesterday, and campaign postcards earlier in the week. Please let me know if you are willing to host a sign in your yard, or give postcards to friends and neighbors!
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