Reply to Study says standardized testing is overwhelming nation’s public schools

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Taxpayers are throwing away a lot of money on testing. Have we closed the achievement gap? No, why are schools throwing a lot of $ into testing? Wouldn't $ be better spent on reducing class size, enrichment learning, field trips, more books for the libraries, more IAs in classes?[/quote]

+1000  As we become more pinched for money in this country, we cannot afford this nonsense.  We know we have achievement gaps . . . this is not some news flash for educators. We need to move students forward as individuals in meaningful ways.  The tests are not helping us to do that.  [/quote]

These testing companies have lobbied for this. They're enjoying dipping into the till. It's so hard to stop it once it stops. People making a buck will always trump what is best for kid's education. [/quote]

Can you please post the numbers for how much VA contributes to these SOL testing services?[/quote]

You have to look on the VA Dept. of Education website. It is buried. You have to look at the budget. Specifically, you need to look at the line item for Pearson. Pearson is the testing company that writes the SOLs. I've seen numbers quotes between $46 million to $37 million. However, those numbers don't include staffing that supports testing in each school division. Almost every school now has a testing coordinator. THis is a former classroom teacher whose job is to schedule the tests and keep data on the tests. THis salary is not under payment to Pearson, but it nevertheless takes money away from instruction. Another example, the principal at local elementary school spends half the day looking at data with the instructional coach. THe instructional coaches are, also, former classroom teachers whose job is to look at data from tests and support regular classroom teachers in their efforst to help the struggling students pass state tests. THese salaries are, also, not listed under testing, but this expense takes away from funding from classroom funding. Then each school division has one or several central staff members whose job it is to analyze data from the tests and put the positive spin on their school website. Again these salary numbers are taking away from funding additional teaching positions and lowering class size.

Start looking around your individual schools and see, how many staff members are devoted to data and testing. It's eye opening.[/quote]

Since it's so buried, I'd appreciate it if you could provide the actual link. Thanks.[/quote]
Here is one place you can start looking: http://datapoint.apa.virginia.gov/exp/exp_checkbook_voucher.cfm?ShowAll=Yes&FY=2015&AGY=228[/quote]

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