Author Jan Resseger recently wrote a two-part look at the US’ “test and punish” culture in education. It’s well-known that this culture harms autistic students and language learners, among others.
Four big lies underneath the education policies set in place by No Child Left Behind, Race to the top, and many of the policies that dominate recent legislation across the states:
“Test scores are reliable indicators of school and teacher quality”
“Teachers need not be professional to get good results”
“The private sector will run schools more effectively than local government”
“Vouchers will produce higher test scores.”
40 years on, these efforts haven’t produced the desired results. Yet money seems to be endless for corporations attempting to “solve” this “problem.” The efforts all seem to ignore “the troublesome issue of childhood poverty and unequal opportunity.” The money is going to the wrong people. The efforts, however, seem to have a common goal: destroy the free public school and enrich private educational corporations.
What are the results of "test and punish?"
What are the results of "test and punish?"
What are the results of "test and punish?"
Author Jan Resseger recently wrote a two-part look at the US’ “test and punish” culture in education. It’s well-known that this culture harms autistic students and language learners, among others.
Part 1 | Part 2
Some takeaways from the articles.
Four big lies underneath the education policies set in place by No Child Left Behind, Race to the top, and many of the policies that dominate recent legislation across the states:
“Test scores are reliable indicators of school and teacher quality”
“Teachers need not be professional to get good results”
“The private sector will run schools more effectively than local government”
“Vouchers will produce higher test scores.”
40 years on, these efforts haven’t produced the desired results. Yet money seems to be endless for corporations attempting to “solve” this “problem.” The efforts all seem to ignore “the troublesome issue of childhood poverty and unequal opportunity.” The money is going to the wrong people. The efforts, however, seem to have a common goal: destroy the free public school and enrich private educational corporations.