In the Dover Post today, four people gave their opinion on opt-out. Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Murphy and Alissa Schubert, a parent and Media Relations for the Delaware Charter School Network were the anti-opt-out folks, while Delaware Senator Dave Lawson and Vice-President for Advocacy for the Delaware PTA, Yvonne Johnson were on the pro-side.
Murphy shied away from saying “Parents aren’t allowed to opt-out, but he did have some of his usual Murphyisms.
“Measuring the progress our children make in school is essential for providing teachers, parents, taxpayers, and leaders throughout the state with honest, objective information about whether they are learning the skills and gaining the knowledge they need to be successful now and in the future…”
“The “smarter” assessments have been designed, tested, and validated according to the highest standards…”
Nice try Mark. We’ve heard it all before. And once again, don’t try telling this parent what is best for my special needs son. That’s my job, not yours!
And how about this…the reporter, David Paulk, contacted me over a week ago. He wanted to know if I knew any parents who were opposed to opt-out. I told him about some educators who spoke at the House Education Committee meeting on House Bill 50, but I really couldn’t think of any normal parents. So he found someone from the Delaware Charter School Network. Of course they are opposed to it!
But the best line in the whole story is from Lawson:
“Smarter Balance is a test created by a for-profit company that makes money every test that is given.”
Lawson hit the nail right on the head. Yvonne Johnson rocked it as well, with her never-ending support for House Bill 50. Schubert just came off sounding like all the education reform folks who are opposed to HB50…. I’m getting bored with that.
The full link can be read here: http://www.doverpost.com/article/20150524/NEWS/305249990#305249990/?Start=4&_suid=143248401592807283983035871071
The Season Of Myths 