[Octm] Re: Fair Test

[Darlene Johnson]

Fair TestGeorge,
Thanks!  I agree that the arguments (excuses--whatever) are ancient and tired and do not truly address the issue!  And, unfortunately, I fall into that old trap when I feel totally exasperated and at wit's end!  I hope the dialogue we started on Saturday will continue and that many will truly reflect on present practices and use this site and many more to search for interventions and solutions--not excuses.

Darlene
  ----- 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: Sunday, December 07, 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.
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