[Octm] RE: Fair Test

[Nicholas, Sacra N]

George,

Thanks for calling our attention to this site and the Kappan article that is
reprinted on it.  I will start drafting a document and I hope everyone will
provide comments, support/criticism and be a part of a dialogue so we can
come to consensus is a  proactive position to help guide  positive
directions in our state.

Sacra

-----Original Message-----
From: George Abshire
To: Weinand, Stacey; vivkiv at putnamcityschools.org; eugene_hobbs at okbu.edu;
celia.nippert at wosc.edu; gosouth at attglobal.net; pdarbj at sbcglobal.net;
lucasj at adacomp.net; iva_owens at mail.sde.state.ok.us; pcact at onenet.net;
fleener at ou.edu; jbennett8 at aol.com; morganj at colbert.k12.ok.us;
jowens at elreno.k12.ok.us; klease at ossm.edu; lgoeller at yahoo.com;
LJimison at ucok.edu; nwarden at usao.edu; ncochran at norman.k12.ok.us;
Sumwhre at aol.com; hendeq at poncacity.k12.ok.us; rsensminger at okcps.org;
snicholas at ou.edu; sfoster at altusschools.k12.ok.us; Tthur760819 at aol.com;
Talitha Young (E-mail); Christine Womack (E-mail); Jane Hammontree (E-mail);
Karen Strande (E-mail); Kelli Ball (E-mail); Larry Hesler (E-mail); Linda
Knox (E-mail); Patricia Johnson (E-mail); Sandy Johnson (E-mail)
Cc: octm at lists.onenet.net
Sent: 12/7/2003 6:25 PM
Subject: Fair Test

Re: OCTM Board meeting on Saturday, December 6, 2003 and Algebra EOI
response.

Much of the discussion in the OCTM board meeting focused on the
ineptness of algebra students and their parents.  I am not surprised to
hear mathematics teachers verbalize their reasons for the suspected
low-test scores and substandard student performance--this excuse has
been used ad nauseam for ages.  However as it relates to the anticipated
release of the Algebra EOI test scores and the potential OCTM response,
maybe those who will be writing the response might find the ideas,
views, and goals of the Fair Test organization to be useful in helping
to construct an informing response that will generate reflection and
dialogue.  This effort might be more productive at bringing meaningful
change to the system, an alternative that might prove more beneficial
than simply blaming the student and encouraging parents to get involved
in their child1s education.

The web site for Fair Test is:

http://www.fairtest.org/

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing is an advocacy organization
working to end the abuses, misuses and flaws of standardized testing and
ensure that evaluation of students and workers is fair, open, and
educationally sound.

We place special emphasis on eliminating the racial, class, gender, and
cultural barriers to equal opportunity posed by standardized tests, and
preventing their damage to the quality of education. Based on four Goals
and Principles, we provide information, technical assistance and
advocacy on a broad range of testing concerns, focusing on three areas:
K-12, university admissions, and employment tests.