As predicted, Delaware parents are not happy with the Smarter Balanced Assessment results. Of course, the ones who scored proficient or above have not been vocal. But the 49% of parents who are seeing English/Language Arts non-proficiency and 62% non-proficiency for math, are not too happy. And parents of special needs children are horrified. The Delaware DOE is going to put the maximum spin machine on this utilizing every possible source they can use. The State Board of Education is having a workshop at Grotto’s Pizza in Dover next week to deal with the fallout. Of course, they are going to talk about the myths and fallacies of the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Will they come right out and say “Don’t read Exceptional Delaware, Kavips, or any of the other Delaware blogs”? Or will they, for once in their professional lives, come out and say “You know what, we messed up. This test is horrible. We apologize, and let’s really work together to come up with a new test. We want your help, and all the other stakeholders we didn’t include the last time.”
If they did the latter, and stuck to it, I would be utterly amazed and shocked. Oddly enough, Governor Markell has been strangely quiet on the issue. Of course, he went to Germany last week, and the Pope is coming to town this week. But we are heading into election mode, and it wouldn’t shock me if every announced or potential candidate told his office they don’t want him talking about this test at all!
The Season Of Myths 