January 10, 2016 – The Season Of Myths

Has Jack Markell ever lost anything? Any of his races for elected official? Cause this is a guy who is so drunk with power he doesn’t realize when he is beat. He cannot admit he is wrong on the Smarter Balanced Assessment. He is holding on for dear life to his failed ideology like it is his lifeline. I don’t get it. As I said on his Facebook post (see below), he has done far more for the opt-out movement than anything I ever could. By writing what he did today, he is causing even more people to unite against him. Sure, 48 people liked his post. Among them, the Delaware Department of Education, members of his staff, Donna Johnson and some people I’ve never heard of before in my life. But the comments… I love it!

To see the action, cause I’m sure by the time I post this there will be more comments to read, please go to Jack Markell’s Facebook page. I would like to say one thing to our “education” Governor. Spell-check should point out spelling errors on most social media. I’m really not sure what “musn’t” is, but I know I mustn’t bust you too much on it…

Jack Markell

6 hrs ·

We musn’t undermine such an important tool for understanding whether our children are learning and our schools are improving.

Delaware should not make it okay for parents to opt their kids out of testing

Schools could damage an important measure of accountability.

Gov. Markell’s education agenda has failed. And he’s flailing about to hold on to anything to keep his precious standardized tests. It would be an important tool IF our governor used the results of the past six years to ACTUALLY support needy schools. He hasn’t. Read here for more. And please share the article: http://www.delawareonline.com/…/opt-out-veto…/78362468/
I agree with Kim Williams State Representative, 19th District ” If the assessment gave meaningful data to a teacher immediately on individual students, I would agree. My question to the writers, how is this a useful tool if the test comes seven months later, after the student has been promoted to the next grade? What are we learning from this needed data? Is the state developing educational programs from this needed data or are we just going to continue to label schools with this needed data? Are we going to continue to tell communities that your school is failing with this needed data? Are we going to tell these communities that we are going to continue to collect the needed data for another 20 years ignoring what we already know that we do not properly fund what the needed data has been telling us for years -that there is no funding for ELL students, we do not fund Basic Special Education Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and that we have been ignoring poverty since the needed data has been collected? So why would anyone continue to support this state assessment when the needed data has been screaming at us for years what our state needs?”
with all due respect, SBAC does not give parents valid information about their children. It’s not a true growth model, it does not inform instruction ( results are received after the student moves to the next grade), it’s a test designed to trick students rather than encourage them to think outside the box,this bill is about parental rights. The people spoke! The democratic process happened . You did not support that which saddens me. I know you believe you did the right thing but you didn’t! Please reconsider! Give parents back their choices and their voices!
Jack Markell what drugs are you using???? Seriously. I want to know. I want to become just as delusional as you are. You see, I am both a parent AND a teacher who has given the SBAC test, and I have yet to see how it is such an important tool to “understand whether our children are learning and our schools are improving.” Are you trying to start a new Jim Jones style cult? Which flavor of Kool-Aid are you serving? Oh, and since you are hell-bent on taking away parents’ rights, I will be dropping off my daughter at your office after school tomorrow, mmmm-kay????
This is not an important tool and I will determine whether my child participates in this test or not. And I chose not. I do not agree with this test (no matter what you are calling it this year) or with the current system of education as it stands.
We had tests years ago to measure this and we all ACTUALLY learned things. Teaching to prepare for tests does NOTHING but give our children anxiety. Let’s go back to actually teaching our children!!
I used to like you governor. When I was a student twenty five years ago we took standardized testing but our teachers still taught us art, math, science. Free thinking. They weren’t just teaching to lead up to the test….this is why other countries are beating us.
How about teach the way the children learn, not teach them the test. How about increasing the school’s budget so they can hire better teachers and more of them? How about we put the responsibility back on the student to learn rather than fault the teacher? Have you been in the classroom to see what teachers are forced to endure? Its no wonder children aren’t learning when teachers are spending 40 mins trying to get a class to settle down.
To address this in its entirety, please stop issuing guidance and rhetoric on why parents should stop advocating for their children. Unless the child is a “ward of the state” stay out of my house and what I believe is best for my children.
I refuse to teach because of standardized tests and the way we have handicapped teachers. I, also am a liberal. But we must understand we are a nation of 300 million plus not every kid will be a scientist or straight A student. Go back to standardized tests as just a gauge on how kids are doing, not on wether teachers will be fired or students course work will change. Stop forcing teachers to change their classes around for one or two students who need IEPs. And if your a parent DO YOUR JOB and stop demanding ridiculous things from your teachers and education departments.
These standardized tests are not a gauge of what kids are learning. Other older tests did a better job of that.
Sir, this is why I will never teach in a classroom either. When I work with a child, I will do whatever it takes to get that child to be successful. I measure that child’s success on only themselves and their needs.
Governor, the tests and the publishing companies who sell them to us are not being undermined. Teachers, students, and parents who stand for real education and respect are being undermined.
Wow! Is there anything else left to say, Governor? #HeresYourSign
Unfortunately, Jack, the turnaround time between test administration and the receipt of scores undermines your argument.
Wrong here Governor
OMG Governor Markell, are you kidding me? Did you really think you were going to get a lot of support on here? Listen to what the people are saying. Just…give…up… It’s over. This could have gone a lot differently, but you had to keep poking the parent bear, over and over again. Your fighting opt-out did far more for the cause than anything I ever did. You have probably caused at least 10-20 more parents to opt out just by posting this. Maybe more. The Smarter Balanced Assessment will never be respected in Delaware. Not by those that REALLY matter: the voting public. You may have your buddies in the DOE, and Rodel, and all that, but at the end of the day, the people have spoken, and they say NO!!!!
My daughter, who tests scores are always above grade level, both, for DCAS and Smarter Balance, got palpitations and I had to rushed her to the A.I. DuPont hospital last May, after three weeks of testing period. It is not about having the children tested, is about which test and how it is done. I agree children have to be tested but I don’t think all these testing combined is done right, otherwise, children wouldn’t be under this sort of stress.
Everyone’s being all nice about this. How about a different prospective. How dare undermine my child’s education for some BS test score to satisfy you federal grant requirements… Just like everything else government has had a hand in, thanks for doing your part in killing our education system. You don’t know what’s best for everyone else’s kids and you should never have a say in it. You need to opt yourself out of our lives…
Mike Matthews article: “Under Markell’s administration, educators have had to tolerate an evaluation system that disrespects their performance in the classroom and lends far too much credence to a standardized test that has changed three times in six years. Using test scores to judge teachers in all of our schools — but especially our least-supported and most challenging schools — is just dumb and has been disavowed by the American Statistical Association.”
That’s why most teachers send their children to private schools cause they know the real deal! Standardized testing is all about politics and money! Truthfully I don’t like how my daughter being taught in school! I’m looking for other alternatives!
There is a direct correlation between those tests scores and poverty levels in schools. We don’t need another measure of poverty….we need solutions.
Standardized testing is NOT an accurate indicator of student learning. If you do not have teachers who are capable of grading students accurately based on their body of work and how much they have progressed or not, then you need better teachers. Standardized tests are junk!
I don’t have nearly the eloquence of some of your other constituents who have already spoken. But I am one more so thinks these tests need to be reconsidered. As a mom of three who works closely with their teachers, as a volunteer who had done Read Assist tutoring, I have yet to hear ONE educational professional speak of these tests positively.
Give our classrooms back to our teachers.
Not many teachers support the damn tests because the whole curriculum is based on them and teachers have no flexibility. There has got to be other ways to measure student’s progress. Also cutting or reducing funding to low performing schools accomplishes nothing positive. It just makes it harder for poorer schools to compete.
Yes we should and yes I will ! Teacher are too worried about a test then actually teaching our children
We as parents should have every rite to opt out if its our choice they are our children and the government or any one else should mind there busy unless our children are being physically harmed
As long as teachers are being held accountable on DPAS for these scores, students will continue to be taught to the test. Therein lies the problem.
Did someone forget a T? Maybe we should be testing our government officials for culpability and competence?
Students opt out whether you like it or not. Giving the parents an option to pull them instead allows you to account for students who otherwise draw pictures on these tests.
I don’t agree I just found out my son has scored horribly on these test but he was tested to be in a gifted program…. We have to do better as a whole for this children
Amazing , how our elected officials should be voting and deciding on issues in the manner the public wants ! I don’t have children, but seems to be all about $. If we score high more grants ….. Forget the grants and give the people what they want for their children .Better idea, all that money we give to the refugees that are allowed to come to Delaware give that to the schools and make the public happy.
Everyone should make themselves familiar with their local elected officials
State representatives and state senators and blow their email boxes and phone lines up !
These people should be doing what people want , if not vote them out.
I attended school in the 50’s and 60’s I have children who attended in the 80’s, 90’s and now have 2 daughters currently in elementary school. I’ve served on school boards and my wife is a teacher. What I have personally experienced and witnessed is the systematic in 50+ years is the systematic dumbing down of our public education in this country.
We, the parents, and the teachers know if our kids are
Get rid of “common core” and bring back “common sense”
How about removing common core from Delaware’s education system as well?
So teaching only what is on the test so each school can brag about how they’re doing is ok?
Grow a skin, buckle up and do what is expected. Stop seeking reasons to not. This test may not be the best in reasoning but to the the few that are boo boo whining please enough. What’s next ? Opting out of mid terms? (Editor’s note: always a naysayer in a group!)
If this is so good for the kids and the schools, tell us why !
Maybe if there is this much opposition to these tests, we need to look at alternative assessments???
Does it matter Jack? Delaware public schools are horrible.
No testing should happen twice a year but teaching shouldn’t be the answers on the test!!!
These tests are a complete waste of resources!
The error is in thinking there is a single standard for intellect.
Don’t say “we” and “our;” they’re not your kids, you arrogant dictator. (Editor’s Note: One of my favorites)
Which is why we now homeschool.
These tests do not help anyone. (Editor’s note: Yes they do, many hedge fund managers, testing companies, and Governor Markell’s stock portfolio and his golden ticket post-Governor job)
I could not disagree more
Hit the road, Jack. (Editor’s Note, another one of my favorites)
Let’s vote on it.
Nobody asked you for your opinion sir
BS
Your tool SUCKS!

Governor Markell has used up his bag of tricks to prevent opt-out. I’m sure he will have more, but anything he does now will be looked at with an immense amount of disdain and contempt. At this point, he is very worried about the veto override. If it goes through, all of his hidden agendas on education and his eight year legacy go down the drain. He brought Delaware to this point, where parents and the testing regimen are in opposition. He underestimated parents and their love for his children, and that will haunt him for a long time to come. Up until opt-out, he had a pretty clear run at getting what he wanted. He used, and continues to use, anyone and everyone he can to promote his messed up ideology. I can’t even call it that since his ideology is about power and money. The opt-out revolution began last year, but his actions are ensuring it continues. No matter what law is passed, parents will opt their children out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment. It will grow each year until it is gone.

The funny part about all of this? I have sent multiple requests to Jack Markell to sit down and talk about all of this. He responded to me once to let me know “we won’t always agree but we are in it for the children”, or something to that effect. My door never shut on that opportunity. I’m sure he views me as an “over the top” incessant whiner, because people like that fail to see what is right before their very eyes.

Here’s the deal though. Our schools are about to erupt into chaos if House Bill 50 doesn’t have it’s veto overridden. Beholden by the defeat of the bill, schools will flex their administrative muscles and start issuing threats and then implementing them over opt-out. We will hear tales of kids being suspended, told not to come to school, or just told to sit alone while all the other kids are taking the test with NO instruction whatsoever. Parents will be coerced or threatened into not opting out. Lies will be told. Some parents will fight and eventually the lawsuits start. This is the environment our cowardly lion of a Governor has created. And the best part? He will be gone, leaving this mess in the hands of the General Assembly.

Every pissed off parent is going to be intimately aware of who voted yes and who voted no. Parents talk, more than legislators seem to think. Once all the bull crap Markell has slung as obstacles to opt-out show parents they really didn’t mean squat to their kids, opt-outs will increase. It isn’t a question of if, it’s a matter of how soon. Things are about to get VERY UGLY. Jack doesn’t care. He’s like the kid who throws a sandwich in the cafeteria starting a foodfight, and then he scurries off to the side and watches and laughs. That is Jack Markell. And chances are, he is going to get some huge financial incentive out of all this. Delaware has turned into Markellaware under his reign, and our General Assembly let it happen. They can end this, by the end of the month. But far too many of them have their head in the clouds, dreaming of power and prestige. I hope those pipedreams carry them into the election, cause that might be all they have left next November…

And for any member of the House, if you are getting major advice from anyone in the Senate not to vote yes, stop and think why they are telling you that. Could it be they don’t want to have to worry about voting on this and they are dumping the burden on you?