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Assessments Information

Detroit students face suspension if PARENTS miss MSTEP meeting

Apparently, bullying isn’t just a problem with students anymore.  Detroit third graders brought a letter home that threatened the students with a suspension if their parents do not attend an MSTEP assessment meeting.  From WDIV News, DETROIT – Kids from Coleman A. Young Elementary in Detroit were sent home with a letter scolding parents for […]

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Assessments Information Legislative Updates Student Data & Privacy

Indiana Governor signs bill to repeal Common Core

On Monday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a bill to repeal Common Core.  From the Indianapolis Star “Less than four years after Indiana became an early adopter of the national Common Core education standards, Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation Monday making Indiana the first state to opt out of the controversial school guidelines. But the […]

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Assessments Information Common Core Problems Student Data & Privacy

Stop Common Core Action Plan

Action Plan for Parents and Concerned Citizens: 1.  For parents, opt-out of ALL  Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC).  The  field assessments begin next week, March 24.  These are pilot assessments for the benefit of corporate profiteers and DC.  There should be no consequences to your child for opting out.  Here’s a form you can print out […]

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Assessments Information

Expert finally admits: SBAC will dictate curriculum

James Pellegrino, a member of the technical advisory board for Smarter Balanced (SBAC) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC)  finally admitted what we have said all along,   SBAC and PARCC (or any national assessment) will guide curriculum and classroom instruction.   Teachers not tests should guide student learning. This […]

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Assessments Information Legislative Updates Student Data & Privacy

Joint Hearing on Assessments

Due to the snow many were not able to attend the event and hearing at the Capital.   Here is a video of the entire hearing.  Thank you to those who made the journey and stayed to testify.  We appreciate it!  

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Assessments Information Commnetary Common Core Problems Legislative Updates Uncategorized

Where’s the transparency?

Trying to piece together the events in Lansing today is not easy but the net result seems to be clear, the implementation of Common Core will go forward but questions about the assessments and SBAC remain. Last week, the Senate cowardly gaveled through resolution S-4 as a substitute resolution to HCR-11 previously passed by the […]

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Assessments Information Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

Typing to the Test

In our technology age, learning to type is an important skill.  But is it necessary to learn that skill to a young child in first or second grade?  Thanks to Common Core and the Smarter Balanced Computer Assessments, the answer appears to be “yes.”   The Washington Post reports that students in kindergarten are now learning […]

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Assessments Information Common Core Problems Student Data & Privacy Uncategorized

Constructing the P-20 Federalized Education Pathway

Governor Snyder said in 2011, ” It is time that we view our educational system which runs from pre-natal to lifelong learning. It’s time to start talking about P-20 instead of just K-12. We need to establish a system that focuses on real achievement for all of our children.” The P-20 education system has been […]

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Assessments Information Common Core Problems Student Data & Privacy

Duncan’s “wacky” Data Mining linked to Common Core

In his speech to news editors at their annual convention, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, When the critics can’t persuade you that the Common Core is a curriculum, they make even more outlandish claims. They say that the Common Core calls for federal collection of student data. For the record, we are not allowed […]

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Assessments Information Student Data & Privacy

Data Tracking and Common Core

One of the major controversies related to the Common Core standards is whether or not data collection is part of the standards.   Proponents of the Common Core and the website vehemently and explicitly deny it. There are no data collection requirements of states adopting the CCSS. Standards define expectations for what students should know and […]