Peter Callaghan's take on the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction makes for an interesting read. I'm still undecided on who to vote for, though I encourage those with interest in the contest in any fashion to check out Callaghan's column.
Posted by Eric Earling at September 30, 2008 07:08 PM | Email ThisBoth Republicans AND Democrats need to KNOW to vote for Randy for our State Superintendent! Yes, the Dems have been more aggressive in backing Randy, but there are several Republican lawmakers and informed citizens endorsing him also. These Dorn (and Rossi) supporters are those who understand the negative imposition the WASL has been on producing quality, well-rounded education for our children. Keep in mind that the ONLY reason the WASL continued to be high-stakes was Christine Gregoire's veto pen used as a whip on the state lawmakers in session earlier this year. Now Gregoire is campaigning for 'fully funding education' as part of her platform.
The cost of the test alone is reason to question the worthiness of its continuation. It comes down to a vote for Dorn will end WASL 'standards' and allow our schools to replace it with focus on TRADITIONAL high standards in the tried and true 3 R's!
WASL 'standards' are the NEW 3 R's - Relating, Representing, and Reasoning. Gee, I don't remember being asked if the citizens of Washington State wanted to abandon the old 3 R's and replace them with the NEW 3 R's. These NEW 3 R's come from a self-published author, Robert Carkhuff, on his UNPROVEN THEORY of education. In other words, the structure of education in Washington State has been revised under Bergeson's command to be a testing ground for an unproven theory. This new framework is centered around the 'tool' called WASL.
Because the WASL is based on the NEW 3 R's, it is testing on the NEW standards which are testing thought process NOT traditional skills and abilities which were the focus before WASL took over. In the words of Dr. Phil, "So, how's that workin' for ya?" Not well. Hopefully, it's still a good thing to think differently than being taught to think to one set standards. Hopefully, diversity is still a strength of society instead of living life as droids à là 1984's Big Brother domination. IF our schools are teaching to the test (which they ARE) then our children are being taught to think the same. Skills don't come into play here because a correct answer scores less than HOW you got the answer. See? Ask any child who has taken the WASL.... they'll tell you it's "explain, explain, explain." Show your work - but stay in the BOX!
Before voting to continue the WASLization of our school system maybe we should be demanding to have the WASL pass an independent validity study? Maybe we should be asking why the WASL has not been approved as a quality test by the Federal Government yet. Maybe we can redirect some money to our teachers and schools by replacing the expensive WASL with a less expensive, more diagnostic, proven, quality test. Is this such an outrageous concept to entertain?
Those who still support school reform and the goal to reach higher standards of education might want to examine just what those 'standards' ARE before casting their votes for OSPI. Bergeson's 'WASL standards' and Dorn's 'standards of education' aren't apples and apples. People need to do their homework on this important race!
I feel the BRT (Business Roundtable) has been dazzled by Bergeson's fancy footwork and listening to her lies rather than doing a full investigation into exactly what WASL is truly about. Shame on them for allowing themselves to be duped by and bowing to this self-proclaimed QUEEN! But then, Hitler had his followers too.
Randy Dorn and Dino Rossi use words and tone that make both sides think they are on their side because all sides should be for quality education. Dorn and Rossi are (for the most part)on the same page when it comes to education because they both know it will take all sides to cure the WASL ills Washington State schools, students, and taxpayers have been suffering. The difference is that the WASL side has changed the meanings of the words; standards, education, assessment, and future.
Dorn is using the Webster's Dictionary definition of these words. Bergeson isn't.
Posted by: ConservativeBloodline on October 1, 2008 12:48 PMDon't you want to know the TRUTH about WASL? Afterall, our state paid Carkhuff over a million dollars for his part in restructuring our schools to transform education in Washington State schools. It's a fascinating read to see how all of this has come about in our state... complete with villains and evil-doers.... and the victims are OUR children! They are being robbed of the JOY of learning and receiving a quality, well-rounded education. Times, they ARE a changin' for sure! (but not always for the better)
Posted by: ConservativeBloodline on October 1, 2008 01:12 PM