Former Supreme Court Justice Criticizes Testing Fixation

[Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>]

Justice O'Connor was a conservative appointed by Ronald Reagan

SPEAKING IN ORLANDO, O'CONNOR DECRIES SCHOOLS' FOCUS ON TESTS
Orlando Sentinel -- March 30, 2008
by Susan Jacobson

A former Supreme Court justice who made history said subjects like 
American history have taken a back seat in classrooms because of the 
emphasis on standardized testing.

Sandra Day O'Connor, 78, the first woman appointed to the court, was 
Saturday's keynote speaker at the National School Boards Association 
annual conference at the Orange County Convention Center.

Although math, science and reading are important, she said, children 
need more than just preparation for exams such as the Florida 
Comprehensive Assessment Test.

"One of the unintentional consequences of the No Child Left Behind Act 
is that our schools have less time to focus on other subjects," O'Connor 
told a crowd of about 1,000 people.

The retired justice devotes her time to promoting the teaching of 
civics. It's important, she said, for tomorrow's adults to learn how to 
choose their leaders and hold them accountable.

"It is the citizens of this nation who have to preserve democracy," she 
said.

O'Connor lamented that more people know the name of at least one judge 
on American Idol than can name one of the three branches of government, 
citing a study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University 
of Pennsylvania.

Robust civics education is essential, she said.

"We have to make sure that civics is not squeezed out of our 
classrooms," O'Connor said, urging school-board members to ensure that 
the courses are dynamic and practical. "Civics is about teaching people 
how to be citizens."

O'Connor also warned against efforts by "special interests" to influence 
judges.

"Now, I always thought an 'activist judge' was one who got up in the 
morning and went to work," she said, evoking chuckles from the audience.

After 24 years on the high court, O'Connor announced her retirement in 
2005 to arrange care for her husband, John, who has Alzheimer's disease.

The conference continues today with actor Sidney Poitier as the keynote 
speaker. Journalist Jim Lehrer will speak Monday, and author and radio 
personality Garrison Keillor will address the group Tuesday, the final day.

   orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-oconnor3008mar30,0,5939806.story