Re: Let me teach!

["Art Burke" <aburke@vansd.org>]

Estimated student work time on all 7th grade WASL tests:  460 to 580
minutes.  Art

>>> Jedoyon@aol.com 01/12/03 10:38PM >>>
Roundtable

Suspend WASL and let me teach

The schools have a shortage of money and will be asked to cut teacher 
jobs, raise class size and cut services. The WASL has cost 
$100,000,000 so far to administer. Hmm.

The WEA, state Legislature and state Department of Education are for 
the WASL. It is a prestige thing. The WASL employs many people to 
perpetuate the myth that this instrument is the holy grail of 
educational tests.

The Oregon Board of Education voted to cut back their WASL-like test 
to save money. Is this an idea for Washington state?

We teachers lose valuable class time administering this lengthy test. 
We attend meetings to analyze the results and discuss strategies to 
improve scores on this dubious test. And, they want to expand the 
test to science and social studies! More lost class time, more 
consultants, more correctors and more taxpayer money.

Let me teach! Spend the money on lower class size. Give me a well 
thought-out, standardized test that takes less time to administer and 
costs the taxpayers much less for evaluation purposes. Cut the 
controversial WASL until such time as we have monies to fund it.

I would suggest that interested taxpayers ask for a copy of last 
year's WASL (or check the Internet) and judge for yourselves.

Are we wasting money on the WASL?

Joanne Bovey
seventh-grade teacher, Spokane
Spokane, WA

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