Nancy Vernon shares her experiences with high-stakes
testing and Internet community support.
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Internet Colleagues Meet in Birmingham to Conference and Provide Support
photo courtesy of Substance
photo courtesy of CBE
“An Internet community is a lifesaver for activists who want to change the world. We share ideas; we cheer each other on; we pick each other up in moments of despair. I have met people on the Internet who I will cherish forever. And I am happy to say that we felt strongly enough about the virtual friendships to meet in real life too.” --Susan Ohanian
The Cause
School reform law in the United States currently centers on the use of standardized test results to reward or punish schools, students, and teachers. Aptly labeled “high-stakes testing,” failing scores on state tests are used to deny diplomas to high school seniors, place students in remedial classes, label and sanction schools and districts, and dismiss teachers and other school staff.
The Community
Many parents, educators, and researchers share evidence and concern that the use of high-stakes testing leads to race and class discrimination and privatization of public schools. Large numbers of citizens find support within a nationwide community of internet activists-- a community built on the cause of educaitonal justice, working to reverse the policy and practice of high-stakes testing in public schools. Welcome to The Resistance.
Internet Colleagues Meet in Birmingham to Conference and Provide Support
Resist, Revolt, Refuse-- Leading through Courage and Tenacity
Within the Resistance community some members stand out as leaders because of their uncommon courage or limitless dedication and perseverance. “Don’t drink the tea; don’t ride the bus; don’t take the test!” is a rallying cry connecting test resistance to historic acts of American civil disobedience and protest.
Substance News, is edited and published by George Schmidt,
former Chicago teacher and union activist.
photo courtesy of Substance
In 1999, George took a stand against Chicago’s standardized test and published six tests (which had already been administered to students) in Substance. According to details on the Substance website, the move cost George his teaching position and brought legal action from the Chicago School Board which sued George Schmidt and Substance for $1.4 million. Within three years, the school board stopped the use of the test. After a drawn out legal battle, the school board also reduced the dollar amount of the suit to zero. However, legal costs to Substance and the Schmidt family were substantial, and George continues to be barred from teaching in Chicago Public Schools. Substance lives on and is published monthly through the school year. A section devoted to The Resistance is authored by members of the Resistance community who serve as national reporters for the paper.
In 2001, Don Perl, a middle school language arts teacher, refused
to give the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) to his students. Don called a news conference to announce his decision not to administer the test. For demonstrating the courage of his convictions, Don was suspended for the two weeks of CSAP testing-- without pay. Since retiring from the public schools, Don teaches at the college level and has formed a nonprofit organization, Coalition for Better Education (CBE).
photo courtesy of CBE
CBE helps parents opt their students out of the state test by providing information and opt out forms in English and Spanish. The organization advertizes opt out rights, which are secured by state law, on bus benches and billboards paid for by contributions from CBE members and Resistance supporters throughout the country.
Enter "Susan Ohanian" into a Google search
and you get a return of approximately 19,200 entries. A lifelong teacher and author of 26 books, including One Size Fits Few and Why is Corporate America Bashing Our Public Schools?, which she co-authored with Kathy Emery, Susan maintains two websites from her home office, in Vermont, susanohanian.org
and stopnationalstandards
Her writing and her activism can also be found prominently placed in major newspapers, magazines, and journals. Susan keeps watch on national media, emailing and posting outrages and accolades daily. Susan also travels the country and the globe, speaking on school reform and the importance of teaching each child in our public schools to fulfill his or her own ambitions and destiny.