Two articles opposing standardized tests in B'ham papers in one week

[Anne Nonniemouse <ShopMathEdu@AOL.COM>]

Dear ARN folks:

Thanks to the hard work and contributions of people on this list, there have
been two Newhouse News Service syndicated columns which, at last, carry
positions of the ARN movement.  Both appeared this week.

The first quoted Monty Neil and acknowledged the existence of Fair Test.
The second appeared yesterday, "Standardized tests carry cheating risk,"
quoting both Susan Harman (San Pablo, CA) and Bob Schaeffer of Fair Test.

The emphasis of both articles was on the merits of standardized testing, but
finally there were alternative view points and critiques of standardized
tests by folks who work with this list serve.  That's better than nothing.

The articles which have appeared in Birmingham might pave the way for us down
here to submit an opinion piece on exactly what happened down here, pushing
522 students out of school last spring prior to the administration of the
SAT9's, in order, in my humble opinion, to "raise" SAT9 scores.  The purpose
of our local article would be to explain what has happened, but more
importantly to stop this from ever happening again, as we cascade toward the
April 2001 administration of the SAT9s.  Perhaps we can have an impact on the
future of students this year.  We've got a lot of work to do, but the
collective effort of folks on this list have given us an excellent jump
start.  Down here, we owe it to the 522 students and their families and
future students to stop these abuses once and for all.

Thanks to all of you that have continued to move this issue to the front
burner at every opportunity.

Warmest greetings to one and all,

Steve Orel
adult education instructor
Birmingham, AL

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