MEAP Scores Plummet at "Scary" Rate

[Rich Gibson <rgibson@pipeline.com>]

> The Michigan Meap is probably the most preposterous of state tests. Written
> by fourth-tier hacks, administered for many years by the state Treasury
> Department (not the Education Department), scored and evaluated by Standard
> and Poors, the MEAP web pages were commonly sponsored by real estate firm
> advertising.
>
> For several years, Rouge Forum and other activists were able to shut down
> the MEAP tests with boycotts that reached 90% participation in some
> districts. It was often wealthy districts that took the lead, followed by
> the poorest, perhaps because parents and kids in wealthier districts know
> they have power, and know  MEAP prep makes people stupid. When kids and
> parents in poor districts saw the boycotts working, they followed suit.
>
> One telling moment came in a formal MEAP meeting organized by the governor
> in Birmingham, Michigan, a wealthy area, where psychometricians,
> counselors, teachers, university specialists, parents and students
> denounced the MEAP from a variety of angles. The last person in line was
> the superintendent of Birmingham schools who could be expected to ask for a
> few reforms, and to offer to comply.
>
> Instead, he rose and said, "Governor, if you think the parents of
> Birmingham are going to subject their children to this shabby project, then
> you simply do not know how power works."
>
> Action against the MEAP has ebbed and flowed over the years.
>
> There is no repairing the MEAP or any of the other state exams. The thing
> to do is shut down the systematic child abuse that they support.
> http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060715/SCHOOLS/607150346
>
> Neither the NEA nor the AFT is going to do a thing to halt the Big Tests. Why?
> http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/%7Ergibson/NEAsupportNCLB.htm
>
> best r
>
> ps: thanks to the many people who wrote on-list and off in regard to my
> criticism of Kozol's "Education Manifesto" The issues raised and the
> comments made were complex and thoughtful. I have not responded right away
> because I'd like some time to reflect on where things are
> headed---especially as per the discussions on solidarity, and Oaxaca. It is
> clear to me, though, that without organization---nothing.
> http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/%7Ergibson/onkozol.htm