Re: Weird Op. Ed.

[PAVURSOL@aol.com]

The Arizona Republic editorial on the Amrein and Berliner study last week had 
a follow up editorial. I"ve pasted it below.  I sent a response.
Mickey

From the arizona republic

An 'independent' think tank that isn't 
Jan. 6, 2003


With all due respect to the National Education Association, if it wants to 
"prove" that graduation tests are harmful to students, it needs a better 
mouthpiece than ASU Ed School's Education Policy Studies Lab. This allegedly 
"independent" think tank is a hotbed of the anti-reform movement. Its 
findings are as predictable as the NEA's own agenda. - DOUG MacEACHERN, 
editorial writer
  

And I sent this in. 

Dear editor:

I'd like to comment on the recent editorial by Doug MacEachern in which he 
minimizes the Education Policy Studies Lab's recent research study on the 
negative effects of high stakes testing.  Seems he doesn't like the 
messenger.  Wonder if he actually read the message?  

As a parent in Virginia, I can assure you that the data analyzed from 
Virginia are real and the analysis is straightforward and simple.  Even a 
parent can understand it.  High stakes testing, if it is intended to improve 
student learning, is a failed strategy.  At this point, education reform 
based on high stakes testing is education deform. 

Apparently some folks in Arizona have a "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no 
evil" policy on high stakes testing just like here in Virginia.  Even when 
the proof is staring you smack in the face.  

Too bad for all our children.  

Mickey VanDerwerker
506 Bedford Avenue
Bedford, VA  24523