Re: testing testing-No way!!

[Carol Holst <kceh@AIRMAIL.NET>]

Mary,

Last May I was where you are now. Parents United to Reform TAAS Testing
began with two Moms who were introduced via an e-mail discussion group.
We have no way of knowing what our membership is because I don't require
anybody to sign a paper or carry a card. Why? Because teachers in Texas
are afraid for their jobs and we don't want to get them fired. When the
San Antonio Express interviewed me in Austin they asked me how many
people we had in our organization. I made it a point to tell them "I
don't know and here's why..." Hopefully they will print that quote
because it really drives the point about the testing situation in Texas
home, straight through the heart.

We made the 5:00 news in Austin yesterday (CBS). We picketed the William
B. Travis Building (where the state BoE/Texas Education Agnecy meets),
and later we carried our signs down the street to the south side of the
Capitol building. People honked, waved, smiled, gave us the thumbs up
sign, and best of all a young man rolled his car window down and yelled
"TAAS SUCKS!!!" It was a wonderful moment.

Keep up what you're doing. Buttons and picket signs work, even when the
Testocrats refuse to listen.

You're doing fine!

Carol

Mary Lowe wrote:
>
> It's been a few days since I made my introduction into the group with
> a let's march on Washington message (I really am serious).  I haven't
> been able to get back because  my computer was infected with a virus.
> After I got myself up and running from that I started having other
> problems.  I got some help and was told that a hacker was trying to
> intercept my mail.  Anyway, I have learned more about computers this
> week than I ever thought I would know.
>
> I will fill you in on what I have done this week via the US Postal
> Service.  I have sent letters to Missouri state legislators, school
> board members, Hillary Clinton, George W., and the Kansas City school
> district super intendent.  I expressed my concern as a parent in a
> very "nice way" and with my letters I included an "FYI" packet if
> info. An are you listening because we are talking group of articles
> and information and invited a response.
>
> I have plans to contact a couple of local radio talk shows that air
> daily on NPR.  I guess I will send them info that shows what a
> controversial and important subject this is.
>
> I feel frustrated because I don't know what else to do.  No one that I
> know wants to do anything but talk, put their children in private
> school or home school  and then pretend that it isn't their problem
> anymore.
>
> I know that my sons second grade teacher and the principal of his
> school are very upset by the testing but they only talk in a very
> cryptic way.
>
> So how does a person like me get people together in a town like Kansas
> City?  How can we work together to encourage a boycott?  Maybe we
> could divide ourselves into regions, meet and make some plans?
>
> My husband says that I flit around like a happy little butterfly
> saying- everything is going to be alright, everything is going to turn
> out fine, no matter what it looks like now everything is going to work
> out fine.  So what if we have to bust our asses to make it so, I'm
> willing.
>
> For now I'll keep writing letters, keep talking to people so that I
> will become more comfortable and get better at it and start attending
> school board meetings.
>
> By the way I like the donkey kicking the map idea.
>
> That's it for now.
>
> Mary Lowe

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