Two links to video from the Meet the Candidate Night:
http://portjefferson.patch.com/articles/video-meet-alexandra-gordon#video-5928690
http://portjefferson.patch.com/articles/video-question-for-alexandra-gordon#video-5933083
Saturday, May 7, 2011
On Friday, I met with Senator Ken LaValle in his Selden office. After several attempts and scheduling conflicts, this was our first meeting. Senator LaValle is a senior member of the New York State Senate, and Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. Though he was previously a teacher for 4th and 5th grade, and an Elementary Principal, Senator La Valle's expertise in education legislation at this point is clearly Post-Secondary Education.
After my initial introduction and a brief explanation of my concerns (essentially the same as in my previous meetings with Assemblyman Englebright and Congressman Bishop), Senator LaValle asked me if I had ever heard of the Truth in Testing Law. Senator LaValle wrote the legislation back in 1979, and it took effect in New York State in 1980. He gave me a brief explanation of the law, and the reason it was written. The Senator said that there are always concerns about biases in exams such as the SAT's and ACT's as well as MCAT's and LSAT's. This law requires the test writing company to share with the test taker the questions they answered incorrectly, along with the correct answer. This allows for students to learn from their mistakes and for others to see if there were cultural, gender, or economic biases at all. That was my first clue that we were not on the same page. While I appreciate the Truth in Testing Law, and I am sure it has been helpful to students for many years, my concerns lie in the standardized tests our younger children are taking annually which are causing undue stress. I have many, many concerns about Education today, but in order to be effective at sparking change, I must pick my battles. The SAT's and test like them are not my current battle.
The Senator did agree with me on many fronts: all children do not learn the same, nor do they test the same. Not every child will be as successful as the next. The pressure on our Administrators, teachers and most importantly students is absurd. He does believe the pendulum will begin to swing back away from testing. I told him I've been waiting for years to see that start to happen, and I can't sit and wait anymore.
The Senator told me that he believes the Federal Government has no business in education, as it is written in every state's constitution that the State is charged with providing Education. He also said that the funding New York State gets from the Federal government is approximately 6% of the Education budget in the State. And I can tell you that the funding the Comsewogue School District gets from New York State is barely 28% of our budget... so we are faced with an overwhelming amount of underfunding all around.
Senator LaValle said the reason for the testing frenzy is simple. It boils down to this: We spend a fortune on education, what do we get for that money? So in an effort to figure that out, we begin testing, and more testing, which by the way costs a lot of money also! He also told me that the Board of Regents is responsible for the current Education policy in New York State, which I am well aware of. I told the Senator that I had sent letters to the Long Island Regent, Roger Tilles on the issues of testing and unfunded mandates, and got no response. Senator LaValle said he will make a point to have Regent Tilles get in touch with me. I will be following up on that promise weekly.
I told Senator LaValle that I have never been a fighter. I just didn't have it in me. But this is a fight I can't back down from. I am in this for my own children, and everyone else's. I told him I wasn't going away, and as long as it takes, I'll be calling him and all of my other representatives. Then he told me a brief story he used to share when he taught law as a college professor: Once there was a Mom, who stopped Wal-Mart. One woman who said, not in my neighborhood, not in my hometown. And this one Mom managed to stop one of the largest, wealthiest companies in America. She didn't back down.They never built in her area.
So now I make a promise to all of you. It will be a long, uphill battle to change to direction of our Education system. But I will not back down. I will keep calling, writing, visiting, until the people in power realize this Mom means business. I will not stop this fight until our children can get a well rounded, quality education, and be recognized as individuals with varying abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We can't pretend children are widgets we are building on a factory line. We owe it to them, and to our own future to see that these flawed education policies change. Not in another decade or two- NOW.
After my initial introduction and a brief explanation of my concerns (essentially the same as in my previous meetings with Assemblyman Englebright and Congressman Bishop), Senator LaValle asked me if I had ever heard of the Truth in Testing Law. Senator LaValle wrote the legislation back in 1979, and it took effect in New York State in 1980. He gave me a brief explanation of the law, and the reason it was written. The Senator said that there are always concerns about biases in exams such as the SAT's and ACT's as well as MCAT's and LSAT's. This law requires the test writing company to share with the test taker the questions they answered incorrectly, along with the correct answer. This allows for students to learn from their mistakes and for others to see if there were cultural, gender, or economic biases at all. That was my first clue that we were not on the same page. While I appreciate the Truth in Testing Law, and I am sure it has been helpful to students for many years, my concerns lie in the standardized tests our younger children are taking annually which are causing undue stress. I have many, many concerns about Education today, but in order to be effective at sparking change, I must pick my battles. The SAT's and test like them are not my current battle.
The Senator did agree with me on many fronts: all children do not learn the same, nor do they test the same. Not every child will be as successful as the next. The pressure on our Administrators, teachers and most importantly students is absurd. He does believe the pendulum will begin to swing back away from testing. I told him I've been waiting for years to see that start to happen, and I can't sit and wait anymore.
The Senator told me that he believes the Federal Government has no business in education, as it is written in every state's constitution that the State is charged with providing Education. He also said that the funding New York State gets from the Federal government is approximately 6% of the Education budget in the State. And I can tell you that the funding the Comsewogue School District gets from New York State is barely 28% of our budget... so we are faced with an overwhelming amount of underfunding all around.
Senator LaValle said the reason for the testing frenzy is simple. It boils down to this: We spend a fortune on education, what do we get for that money? So in an effort to figure that out, we begin testing, and more testing, which by the way costs a lot of money also! He also told me that the Board of Regents is responsible for the current Education policy in New York State, which I am well aware of. I told the Senator that I had sent letters to the Long Island Regent, Roger Tilles on the issues of testing and unfunded mandates, and got no response. Senator LaValle said he will make a point to have Regent Tilles get in touch with me. I will be following up on that promise weekly.
I told Senator LaValle that I have never been a fighter. I just didn't have it in me. But this is a fight I can't back down from. I am in this for my own children, and everyone else's. I told him I wasn't going away, and as long as it takes, I'll be calling him and all of my other representatives. Then he told me a brief story he used to share when he taught law as a college professor: Once there was a Mom, who stopped Wal-Mart. One woman who said, not in my neighborhood, not in my hometown. And this one Mom managed to stop one of the largest, wealthiest companies in America. She didn't back down.They never built in her area.
So now I make a promise to all of you. It will be a long, uphill battle to change to direction of our Education system. But I will not back down. I will keep calling, writing, visiting, until the people in power realize this Mom means business. I will not stop this fight until our children can get a well rounded, quality education, and be recognized as individuals with varying abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We can't pretend children are widgets we are building on a factory line. We owe it to them, and to our own future to see that these flawed education policies change. Not in another decade or two- NOW.
The Federal Perspective
On April 29, I had the pleasure of meeting with Congressman Tim Bishop in his Patchogue office. Congressman Bishop is not only the Representative of our 1st Congressional District, but he is a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. The meeting was enlightening for me, and allowed me to have some hope that our Federal Government at least recognizes the problems surrounding our current Education Policies, particularly the result of No Child Left Behind. Congressman Bishop is a wealth of knowledge in many areas, and was able to address my concerns.
Initially I spoke about what I have witnessed in my own children since the initial years of the standardized testing policies. While my oldest daughter only took the ELA exam in 4th and 8th grade, we have seen exams piled on year after year, which has added significant stress and pressure on my younger children. I shared with him the brochure I used at the screening for Race to Nowhere which was full of information for everyone who attended.
Congressman Bishop began by explaining that there is certainly change on the horizon, although we don't know for sure when it will arrive. He told me that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) had actually expired on September 30, 2007. ESEA is the education legislation that was created in 1965. In 2002, it was updated, and coined No Child Left Behind (NCLB). We all know where that led us. So, our representatives are no longer calling it NCLB, but they reauthorized it "until a new law is written." The problem with that is that instead of working on improving the policy, we are stuck with a bad law.
According to Congressman Bishop, while for very different reasons, both the Republican and Democratic committee members are interested in backing away from the current model of NCLB. They are looking to move away from Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and toward a model of graduating students from High School "College and Career Ready". While the Republican members see it as an issue of too much Government involvement, the Democrats see flawed Education Policy. Either perspective leads to a better place: less standardized testing, less punitive measures for schools having difficulty reaching AYP. There is much to be worked out, and no set date for a start. What will eventually happen is that the Federal Government will give more local control over education and testing policy. Local control in our case would be New York State. I have many concerns about that, as New York State, and our Board of Regents in particular, have continued to add more mandated testing on top of the Federal requirements for years.
When I asked Congressman Bishop what I can do to help move the measure along and get the public involved, he said that we should start to get figures from the Education Committees in June or July for the next budget cycle. It will be important to note where funding has been decreased or increased to see where the priorities of Chaiman Kline and the Majority lie. That will give us a greater sense of their direction and goals moving forward, and give us an opportunity to speak up as caring parents and education advocates to move them in the right direction.
The following link has interesting information about the Obama Administration's goals and priorities regarding Education Policy: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/14/president-obama-calls-congress-fix-no-child-left-behind-start-next-schoo
Initially I spoke about what I have witnessed in my own children since the initial years of the standardized testing policies. While my oldest daughter only took the ELA exam in 4th and 8th grade, we have seen exams piled on year after year, which has added significant stress and pressure on my younger children. I shared with him the brochure I used at the screening for Race to Nowhere which was full of information for everyone who attended.
Congressman Bishop began by explaining that there is certainly change on the horizon, although we don't know for sure when it will arrive. He told me that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) had actually expired on September 30, 2007. ESEA is the education legislation that was created in 1965. In 2002, it was updated, and coined No Child Left Behind (NCLB). We all know where that led us. So, our representatives are no longer calling it NCLB, but they reauthorized it "until a new law is written." The problem with that is that instead of working on improving the policy, we are stuck with a bad law.
According to Congressman Bishop, while for very different reasons, both the Republican and Democratic committee members are interested in backing away from the current model of NCLB. They are looking to move away from Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and toward a model of graduating students from High School "College and Career Ready". While the Republican members see it as an issue of too much Government involvement, the Democrats see flawed Education Policy. Either perspective leads to a better place: less standardized testing, less punitive measures for schools having difficulty reaching AYP. There is much to be worked out, and no set date for a start. What will eventually happen is that the Federal Government will give more local control over education and testing policy. Local control in our case would be New York State. I have many concerns about that, as New York State, and our Board of Regents in particular, have continued to add more mandated testing on top of the Federal requirements for years.
When I asked Congressman Bishop what I can do to help move the measure along and get the public involved, he said that we should start to get figures from the Education Committees in June or July for the next budget cycle. It will be important to note where funding has been decreased or increased to see where the priorities of Chaiman Kline and the Majority lie. That will give us a greater sense of their direction and goals moving forward, and give us an opportunity to speak up as caring parents and education advocates to move them in the right direction.
The following link has interesting information about the Obama Administration's goals and priorities regarding Education Policy: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/14/president-obama-calls-congress-fix-no-child-left-behind-start-next-schoo
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Links of interest
Here are a couple of links you may be interested in:
Report of the Meet the Candidates Night:
http://portjefferson.patch.com/articles/meet-the-candidates-for-comsewogue-board-of-ed
A Letter to the Editor published in the Port Times Record Newspaper on Thursday April 28. Scroll down to page A18:
http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/pdf/pt_042811w.pdf
More to follow soon!
Report of the Meet the Candidates Night:
http://portjefferson.patch.com/articles/meet-the-candidates-for-comsewogue-board-of-ed
A Letter to the Editor published in the Port Times Record Newspaper on Thursday April 28. Scroll down to page A18:
http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/pdf/pt_042811w.pdf
More to follow soon!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Meet the Candidate Night
Last night, April 26, was the official Meet the Candidate event for the Comsewogue School District. Held at the High School, and run by the Comsewogue PTA Council, the evening is an opportunity to hear from the candidates directly in order to make an informed voting decision. I was incredibly nervous, and even though I had attended the event in the past, was unsure what to expect. You may already know there are a total of 6 candidates running for 2 open positions on the Board of Education. One of the candidates was ill and unable to attend, but everyone else gave a brief introduction of themselves, and answered 2 questions each, written by residents in attendance.
While turnout for the event was higher than in years' past, I wanted to give those who were unable to attend an opportunity to know more about the night,and my answers. My introduction included by background as a community volunteer, which you can read about in earlier posts. I don't want to be redundant!
The first question directed to me was (paraphrased):
Do you believe that the community should vote on program changes within the District, or do you favor making cuts as necessary without their input?
I have publicly praised Dr. Rella on several occasions for the creation of the Advisory Council this year. As a participant from the beginning, I saw first hand that members of the community from many different backgrounds were not only attending the meetings, but were encouraged by the Board of Education members and Administration to voice their opinion. It was important to all of them to hear what the public wanted. In the case of proposed reconfiguration of the elementary schools, the collective publics' voice was resoundingly heard. Through the use of meetings and surveys, the Administration recognized the opposition to the proposal, and respected it. It will always be important to give residents a voice in making decisions affecting our students. However, it would be too time consuming and unrealistic to send a survey out every time we need to make a decision. Members of the Board of Education are elected to represent the best interest of the public and schools, which is why it is imperative to learn about the candidates to feel comfortable that they share your values. I want to see the Advisory Council continue, and encourage everyone to attend when possible. The Board of Education workshop and meeting dates are posted on the website, and are open to the public. Any resident is welcome to come and express their opinion, and if they have valid concerns have an obligation to express that. Open communication is the key to a successful Board and community in general.
The cost of heating the buildings within the District is approximately $1 Million, what can we do to move towards alternative energy to reduce our dependence on the increasing cost of oil?
The cost of gasoline and heating oil are increasing exponentially, and affecting the budgets of our homes, businesses and municipalities. Just as families need to make changes at home to reduce costs. They also sometimes look into renewable or alternative energy. It is an option the District should look into as well. One of the subcommittees of the Advisory Council (I believe Buildings and Grounds,but I could be wrong!) discussed this issue throughout their meetings. As I understand they had a company that was going to examine our properties and see what we might be able to do to move in the direction of (or supplement with) alternative energy. I will need to look into the follow up to see if that has been done, and if it hasn't when it will happen. It is important to note that often the initial cost of these initiatives is prohibitive, and given our tight funding, may not be something we can commit to in the near future. We should explore our options, and see if there are grant programs that would cover the costs.
Those were the 2 questions asked of me, but I will briefly offer my answer to a few of the questions asked of the other candidates as well.
Do you support reinstating some of the programs which have been cut in the recent budget process such as 3rd grade Violin Club?
The simple answer is yes! But nothing is really that cut and dry. We can not ignore the reality of our situation,which includes drastic reduction in State Aid, coupled with huge increases in contributions to the Retirement System as well as State and Federal Mandates. We are also likely to face a 2% tax cap next year. All of these facts mean we have had to make difficult decisions, resulting in cuts to programs and extra curricular activities. I believe the current Board and Administration have been careful and fair about the cuts they had to make. No single department was gutted, every area is sharing the burden.The creation of a new Foundation has already begun. We should hear shortly about their first fundraiser, scheduled to be a community yard sale. The proceeds from the Foundation's events will be used to provide funding for the programs which had previously been eliminated. It is my hope that this Foundation will be tremendously successful and help us to provide some of those very programs we hate to lose.
Would you favor returning to half day Kindergarten in order to save money?
While I believe every option should be explored when facing budget difficulties, half day Kindergarten would not be an easy sell for me. I have spent the last 3 years working as a Special Education Inclusion Kindergarten Aide at Terryville
The reality is that the Federal Education Department has written new National Standards which will be implemented within the next 2 school years. Currently, every state's Education Department has their own set of Standards (essentially what they expect students to be able to do at the end of every grade level). For New York, Kindergarten students are expected to end the year reading on a Level C. While every student progresses at their own pace, teachers work tirelessly with small groups throughout the day to assist the children in reaching these goals, beginning with letter/sound recognition, moving through high frequency words and learning to sound out unfamiliar words- each skill building upon the last. The new standards will expect Kindergarten students to finish the year at a Level D. They will also expect them to complete a good portion of what is currently First Grade Math curriculum.Cutting back to half day kindergarten, even if there were a cost savings, would short change our students. It would limit what they could accomplish, and force teachers to adhere strictly to academic lessons without an opportunity to explore theme units and creative projects. Children in kindergarten need time to socialize, play,and explore. These experiences help build confidence, which carries over into their academic success.
While turnout for the event was higher than in years' past, I wanted to give those who were unable to attend an opportunity to know more about the night,and my answers. My introduction included by background as a community volunteer, which you can read about in earlier posts. I don't want to be redundant!
The first question directed to me was (paraphrased):
Do you believe that the community should vote on program changes within the District, or do you favor making cuts as necessary without their input?
I have publicly praised Dr. Rella on several occasions for the creation of the Advisory Council this year. As a participant from the beginning, I saw first hand that members of the community from many different backgrounds were not only attending the meetings, but were encouraged by the Board of Education members and Administration to voice their opinion. It was important to all of them to hear what the public wanted. In the case of proposed reconfiguration of the elementary schools, the collective publics' voice was resoundingly heard. Through the use of meetings and surveys, the Administration recognized the opposition to the proposal, and respected it. It will always be important to give residents a voice in making decisions affecting our students. However, it would be too time consuming and unrealistic to send a survey out every time we need to make a decision. Members of the Board of Education are elected to represent the best interest of the public and schools, which is why it is imperative to learn about the candidates to feel comfortable that they share your values. I want to see the Advisory Council continue, and encourage everyone to attend when possible. The Board of Education workshop and meeting dates are posted on the website, and are open to the public. Any resident is welcome to come and express their opinion, and if they have valid concerns have an obligation to express that. Open communication is the key to a successful Board and community in general.
The cost of heating the buildings within the District is approximately $1 Million, what can we do to move towards alternative energy to reduce our dependence on the increasing cost of oil?
The cost of gasoline and heating oil are increasing exponentially, and affecting the budgets of our homes, businesses and municipalities. Just as families need to make changes at home to reduce costs. They also sometimes look into renewable or alternative energy. It is an option the District should look into as well. One of the subcommittees of the Advisory Council (I believe Buildings and Grounds,but I could be wrong!) discussed this issue throughout their meetings. As I understand they had a company that was going to examine our properties and see what we might be able to do to move in the direction of (or supplement with) alternative energy. I will need to look into the follow up to see if that has been done, and if it hasn't when it will happen. It is important to note that often the initial cost of these initiatives is prohibitive, and given our tight funding, may not be something we can commit to in the near future. We should explore our options, and see if there are grant programs that would cover the costs.
Those were the 2 questions asked of me, but I will briefly offer my answer to a few of the questions asked of the other candidates as well.
Do you support reinstating some of the programs which have been cut in the recent budget process such as 3rd grade Violin Club?
The simple answer is yes! But nothing is really that cut and dry. We can not ignore the reality of our situation,which includes drastic reduction in State Aid, coupled with huge increases in contributions to the Retirement System as well as State and Federal Mandates. We are also likely to face a 2% tax cap next year. All of these facts mean we have had to make difficult decisions, resulting in cuts to programs and extra curricular activities. I believe the current Board and Administration have been careful and fair about the cuts they had to make. No single department was gutted, every area is sharing the burden.The creation of a new Foundation has already begun. We should hear shortly about their first fundraiser, scheduled to be a community yard sale. The proceeds from the Foundation's events will be used to provide funding for the programs which had previously been eliminated. It is my hope that this Foundation will be tremendously successful and help us to provide some of those very programs we hate to lose.
Would you favor returning to half day Kindergarten in order to save money?
While I believe every option should be explored when facing budget difficulties, half day Kindergarten would not be an easy sell for me. I have spent the last 3 years working as a Special Education Inclusion Kindergarten Aide at Terryville
The reality is that the Federal Education Department has written new National Standards which will be implemented within the next 2 school years. Currently, every state's Education Department has their own set of Standards (essentially what they expect students to be able to do at the end of every grade level). For New York, Kindergarten students are expected to end the year reading on a Level C. While every student progresses at their own pace, teachers work tirelessly with small groups throughout the day to assist the children in reaching these goals, beginning with letter/sound recognition, moving through high frequency words and learning to sound out unfamiliar words- each skill building upon the last. The new standards will expect Kindergarten students to finish the year at a Level D. They will also expect them to complete a good portion of what is currently First Grade Math curriculum.Cutting back to half day kindergarten, even if there were a cost savings, would short change our students. It would limit what they could accomplish, and force teachers to adhere strictly to academic lessons without an opportunity to explore theme units and creative projects. Children in kindergarten need time to socialize, play,and explore. These experiences help build confidence, which carries over into their academic success.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Meeting of the Minds
On Friday, I had the opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Steve Englebright. I think it's important to mention that the Senate was actually closed for the day, so technically he did not have to meet with me, but he did. I know Assemblyman Englebright is an education advocate. He was the ONLY elected official to attend the Educate New York State Rally at Sachem HS a few weeks ago. Everyone had been invited, but he was the only official to stand with the teachers, parents, students, and education advocates. At that rally, Assemblyman Englebright spoke briefly about the importance of education, and had my favorite quote of the night: "Education isn't just an expense line in the budget, it's an investment."
The meeting was informative for both of us. For my part, I outlined for the Assemblyman the current New York State Testing schedule for grades 3 -8, along with the new proposals that are being discussed. These include new standardized testing four times per year for every student in Kindergarten through 4th grade to monitor progress in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Assemblyman Englebright was clearly surprised at the schedule, and the amount of testing our schools are mandated to implement. I also spoke about my recent screening of the education documentary Race to Nowhere and the consequences of this test crazy education philosophy. I talked about my own children's experience with the exams, and how the focus of their school days for weeks have been preparation for these exams. We talked about the enormous pressure teachers and administrators are under to ensure their kids are prepared and succeed... and the reality that not every child will or should expected to succeed with a score of 3 or 4 on the ELA.
I brought with me data that outlines the estimated costs of the testing mandates. When looking at the following numbers in black and white, the Assemblyman was shocked. The standardized tests are not only causing undue stress on our faculty and children, they are costing Comsewogue a ridiculous amount of money. And while the New York State Education Department mandates that we implement these exams and follow procedures for scoring, analyzing and mailing the data, they give us little to no funding to follow orders.
Number 4 above refers to the estimated cost of the first year implementing a new mandate that was derived from Race to the Top funding received by NYS from the Federal Government. There has been a lot written about this mandate in the newspapers in recent months. Essentially what this will do is use students' standardized test scores to make up a portion of a teacher's Annual Performance Review. I believe in New York, the plan is to make that 20% of the evaluation of a teacher. The dollar amount shown will be required for Comsewogue to spend in order to train staff in every Department, and at every level in evaluating their peers or subordinates. According to NYS, the teachers given the job to perform the evaluations will need to be taken out of the classroom for a year to be trained... so the District will need to continue to pay them as they train (as well as pay for the training program!) and pay for a leave replacement within the classroom. This new mandate will cost $520,000 for the first year, and Comsewogue is slated to receive $14,500 per year for 4 years to cover the mandate. That is a shortage of $462,000.
It's crazy, I know. And when you look at it, you think, "that can't be right..." but it is. And our Legislators don't even know that's what is going on. Here's what I learned from Assemblyman Englebright. The Senate and Assembly essentially have nothing to do with these mandates. They don't vote on them, and don't hear much about them until all is said and done. These decisions are made by the State Education Department, essentially the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is made up of 17 men and women who are appointed by the Assembly and Senate for 5 year terms. So, while our Representatives don't really have the power to change the policy, they do have the power to nominate and appoint the Regents. I already knew the Regent for Long Island is Roger Tilles. And I think soon he will know me. Assemblyman Englebright also told me of a Forum he attended last week with the Regents at Hofstra University,where they proposed new standardized tests in Art. Their theory is that if a subject isn't given mandated testing, it isn't quantifiable, and therefore seems less important. So, now we face testing in the areas our kids look to for solace and creativity...
Moving forward, Assemblyman Englebright had several remarks. First off, we need to get a bunch of people together on the issue of standardized testing. Pull together teachers, parents, students, grandparents- anyone who really cares and organize. With a larger group pushing back and questioning policies, the Regents are more likely to listen. As I have said before, I won't be able to do this alone! He also said that he believes we will be successful in swinging the pendulum back from the testing mania, albeit not overnight. "You are starting a movement", he said. So now I ask who will join me in the movement away from standardized tests and toward well rounded, quality education? Assemblyman Englebright said he will help every step of the way, I hope you will too.
*Next Friday I will be meeting with Congressman Tim Bishop to address the same concerns on the Federal level, and on May 6, I will be meeting with NYS Senator Ken LaValle. I attempted to set up a meeting with Senator John Flanagan, who represents a portion of Comsewogue and is also Senate Education Committee Chairman, but his office will not schedule a meeting with me because he is not my home Senator. I plan to follow up and try again!*
The meeting was informative for both of us. For my part, I outlined for the Assemblyman the current New York State Testing schedule for grades 3 -8, along with the new proposals that are being discussed. These include new standardized testing four times per year for every student in Kindergarten through 4th grade to monitor progress in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Assemblyman Englebright was clearly surprised at the schedule, and the amount of testing our schools are mandated to implement. I also spoke about my recent screening of the education documentary Race to Nowhere and the consequences of this test crazy education philosophy. I talked about my own children's experience with the exams, and how the focus of their school days for weeks have been preparation for these exams. We talked about the enormous pressure teachers and administrators are under to ensure their kids are prepared and succeed... and the reality that not every child will or should expected to succeed with a score of 3 or 4 on the ELA.
I brought with me data that outlines the estimated costs of the testing mandates. When looking at the following numbers in black and white, the Assemblyman was shocked. The standardized tests are not only causing undue stress on our faculty and children, they are costing Comsewogue a ridiculous amount of money. And while the New York State Education Department mandates that we implement these exams and follow procedures for scoring, analyzing and mailing the data, they give us little to no funding to follow orders.
1. Cost of scoring, analyzing, mailing assessments for grades 3-8: $180,000
2. Statewide data collection: $10,000
3. Training teachers on input and analysis of assessments: $40,000
4. Beginning 2012, from Race to the Top*: Create, train and implement items and staff related to APPR and Network team requirements: $520,000
* of the over $700 Million NYS received Comsewogue will only get $14,500 per year for four years to cover this mandate
Numbers 1-3 are costs directly related to the implementation of the New York State Standardized Exams. Those three items cost $230,000 per year for Comsewogue. I don't know exactly how much of that we get from the state, but I do know it's a drop in the bucket compared to the actual cost.Number 4 above refers to the estimated cost of the first year implementing a new mandate that was derived from Race to the Top funding received by NYS from the Federal Government. There has been a lot written about this mandate in the newspapers in recent months. Essentially what this will do is use students' standardized test scores to make up a portion of a teacher's Annual Performance Review. I believe in New York, the plan is to make that 20% of the evaluation of a teacher. The dollar amount shown will be required for Comsewogue to spend in order to train staff in every Department, and at every level in evaluating their peers or subordinates. According to NYS, the teachers given the job to perform the evaluations will need to be taken out of the classroom for a year to be trained... so the District will need to continue to pay them as they train (as well as pay for the training program!) and pay for a leave replacement within the classroom. This new mandate will cost $520,000 for the first year, and Comsewogue is slated to receive $14,500 per year for 4 years to cover the mandate. That is a shortage of $462,000.
It's crazy, I know. And when you look at it, you think, "that can't be right..." but it is. And our Legislators don't even know that's what is going on. Here's what I learned from Assemblyman Englebright. The Senate and Assembly essentially have nothing to do with these mandates. They don't vote on them, and don't hear much about them until all is said and done. These decisions are made by the State Education Department, essentially the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is made up of 17 men and women who are appointed by the Assembly and Senate for 5 year terms. So, while our Representatives don't really have the power to change the policy, they do have the power to nominate and appoint the Regents. I already knew the Regent for Long Island is Roger Tilles. And I think soon he will know me. Assemblyman Englebright also told me of a Forum he attended last week with the Regents at Hofstra University,where they proposed new standardized tests in Art. Their theory is that if a subject isn't given mandated testing, it isn't quantifiable, and therefore seems less important. So, now we face testing in the areas our kids look to for solace and creativity...
Moving forward, Assemblyman Englebright had several remarks. First off, we need to get a bunch of people together on the issue of standardized testing. Pull together teachers, parents, students, grandparents- anyone who really cares and organize. With a larger group pushing back and questioning policies, the Regents are more likely to listen. As I have said before, I won't be able to do this alone! He also said that he believes we will be successful in swinging the pendulum back from the testing mania, albeit not overnight. "You are starting a movement", he said. So now I ask who will join me in the movement away from standardized tests and toward well rounded, quality education? Assemblyman Englebright said he will help every step of the way, I hope you will too.
*Next Friday I will be meeting with Congressman Tim Bishop to address the same concerns on the Federal level, and on May 6, I will be meeting with NYS Senator Ken LaValle. I attempted to set up a meeting with Senator John Flanagan, who represents a portion of Comsewogue and is also Senate Education Committee Chairman, but his office will not schedule a meeting with me because he is not my home Senator. I plan to follow up and try again!*
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Advocacy in Action
A few weeks ago, I held a screening of the education documentary Race to Nowhere at Terryville Elementary School. When our teacher's union, PJSTA, held a screening back in January I had attended with my 14 year old daughter. I was distraught and energized at the same time. I knew that I needed to host my own screening, and take on the role of Education Advocate. As a result, over the next three weeks I will be meeting individually with Congressman Tim Bishop, Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Senator Ken LaValle to express my concerns about the direction of public education, and enlist their help to begin a public conversation about our priorities in education.
The film Race to Nowhere showed with unmistakable clarity issues I have seen in my own home for years. It articulated my concerns about an education system focused on getting ahead at all costs. The film talked about the undeniable pressure students and teachers are facing, and how standardized testing plays a role in that pressure. Most people are familiar with the New York State ELA exams. At first I likened them to the CTBS tests I remember taking as a child. But the more I learned about the exams, and the more exams were being piled on, I recognized a serious problem. What began as an exam for only 4th and 8th grade students is now a testing phenomenon with no end in sight. Children in grades 3 - 8 will be taking the ELA exam in just a few weeks. And one week later, they will take the NYS Math Exam as well. At the end of this post I will list all of the standardized tests given to our students through out the year by grade. There is even talk of new standardized tests in New York State for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, although that has not been finalized by the State Education Department yet.
The primary focus of our State and Federal Education Departments is on standardized testing. New York State was awarded just over $700 Million from the Federal Government for it's Race to the Top Initiative. Half of that funding is being used to develop a teacher evaluation system that will be in large part based on student's standardized testing scores. Just glancing at the situation, one could say it's an opportunity for accountability. However, if you look more closely, it becomes obvious that this system will only force teachers to teach to the test. Teachers are already having to take away instructional time to teach "test prep" for weeks leading up to the exams. The results of the exams are used to rank school districts, individual schools, teachers and children. The pressure on everyone involved is tremendous.
While teachers are expected to differentiate instruction to allow for all students' learning styles to be addressed during class, these exams assume all children think, work, and learn the same way. It's a one size fits all approach to evaluating children. And often, the scores do not reflect the child's actual ability. Special Education students in 5th grade who may function intellectually at a 2nd grade level are expected to take the same exam as their peers in Regular Ed classes. It is unfair to these students, their teachers, and the school who may not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on those students' performance on the exam. Not to mention that the exams are written by the companies that make our textbooks. So every time they change a test, they get to write (and sell us) new books to align to the new test. There are individuals and companies getting VERY rich with the standardized testing craze.
I believe that every parent has a responsibility to advocate for their children, every teacher and administrator shares that responsibility for their students. Members of Boards of Education have an even greater responsibility as elected representatives of the community to use the BOE platform to engage the public and policy makers in conversation about these issues. There are several steps to be taken:
1. Educate the public (parents, teachers, community members) about standardized testing, it's purpose and effect
2.Give actionable information in the form of petitions, letter writing campaigns- make it easier for interested people to get involved in the conversation and advocacy
3. Connect with policy makers locally, as well as in Albany, and Washington, DC so they are aware of valid concerns
4. Follow up over and over until there is movement in the right direction.
I have already begun the advocacy journey. I wrote the letters posted on Comsewogue's website to be sent to our elected representatives. I will use my upcoming meetings to let them hear stories about my own children's experience with these exams, to demonstrate that change is necessary. I am not sure what to expect to be honest. I do know it will be an uphill battle all along the way, but I can't sit back and wait for someone else to advocate- that is my job as a parent, and hopefully, as a member of the Board of Education.
NEW YORK STATE TESTING SCHEDULE:
GRADE 3:
ELA: May 3-6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 4:
ELA: May 3-6, Math: May 11 - 13, Science performance: May 31 - June 3, Science written: June 6
GRADE 5:
ELA: May 3- 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 6:
ELA: May 3 - 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 7:
ELA: May 3 - 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 8:
ELA: May 3 -6, Math May 11 -13, Science performance: May 31 - June 3, Science written: June 6
The film Race to Nowhere showed with unmistakable clarity issues I have seen in my own home for years. It articulated my concerns about an education system focused on getting ahead at all costs. The film talked about the undeniable pressure students and teachers are facing, and how standardized testing plays a role in that pressure. Most people are familiar with the New York State ELA exams. At first I likened them to the CTBS tests I remember taking as a child. But the more I learned about the exams, and the more exams were being piled on, I recognized a serious problem. What began as an exam for only 4th and 8th grade students is now a testing phenomenon with no end in sight. Children in grades 3 - 8 will be taking the ELA exam in just a few weeks. And one week later, they will take the NYS Math Exam as well. At the end of this post I will list all of the standardized tests given to our students through out the year by grade. There is even talk of new standardized tests in New York State for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade, although that has not been finalized by the State Education Department yet.
The primary focus of our State and Federal Education Departments is on standardized testing. New York State was awarded just over $700 Million from the Federal Government for it's Race to the Top Initiative. Half of that funding is being used to develop a teacher evaluation system that will be in large part based on student's standardized testing scores. Just glancing at the situation, one could say it's an opportunity for accountability. However, if you look more closely, it becomes obvious that this system will only force teachers to teach to the test. Teachers are already having to take away instructional time to teach "test prep" for weeks leading up to the exams. The results of the exams are used to rank school districts, individual schools, teachers and children. The pressure on everyone involved is tremendous.
While teachers are expected to differentiate instruction to allow for all students' learning styles to be addressed during class, these exams assume all children think, work, and learn the same way. It's a one size fits all approach to evaluating children. And often, the scores do not reflect the child's actual ability. Special Education students in 5th grade who may function intellectually at a 2nd grade level are expected to take the same exam as their peers in Regular Ed classes. It is unfair to these students, their teachers, and the school who may not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on those students' performance on the exam. Not to mention that the exams are written by the companies that make our textbooks. So every time they change a test, they get to write (and sell us) new books to align to the new test. There are individuals and companies getting VERY rich with the standardized testing craze.
I believe that every parent has a responsibility to advocate for their children, every teacher and administrator shares that responsibility for their students. Members of Boards of Education have an even greater responsibility as elected representatives of the community to use the BOE platform to engage the public and policy makers in conversation about these issues. There are several steps to be taken:
1. Educate the public (parents, teachers, community members) about standardized testing, it's purpose and effect
2.Give actionable information in the form of petitions, letter writing campaigns- make it easier for interested people to get involved in the conversation and advocacy
3. Connect with policy makers locally, as well as in Albany, and Washington, DC so they are aware of valid concerns
4. Follow up over and over until there is movement in the right direction.
I have already begun the advocacy journey. I wrote the letters posted on Comsewogue's website to be sent to our elected representatives. I will use my upcoming meetings to let them hear stories about my own children's experience with these exams, to demonstrate that change is necessary. I am not sure what to expect to be honest. I do know it will be an uphill battle all along the way, but I can't sit back and wait for someone else to advocate- that is my job as a parent, and hopefully, as a member of the Board of Education.
NEW YORK STATE TESTING SCHEDULE:
GRADE 3:
ELA: May 3-6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 4:
ELA: May 3-6, Math: May 11 - 13, Science performance: May 31 - June 3, Science written: June 6
GRADE 5:
ELA: May 3- 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 6:
ELA: May 3 - 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 7:
ELA: May 3 - 6, Math: May 11 - 13
GRADE 8:
ELA: May 3 -6, Math May 11 -13, Science performance: May 31 - June 3, Science written: June 6
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