Governor Schwarzenegger Pushes for Testing

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

The California Teachers Association has sent the following information to
activists. We are working to make sure that second grade STAR testing does not
return next year. The tests have never been used to improve the state course of
study, to examine the appropriateness of the state standards, or to guide any
statewide initiatives. Their only statewide use has been to provide a score which
was briefly the basis for cash rewards to educators and which is the basis for
ranking and sorting schools. Many local districts and site administrators have
found inappropriate ways to use the test data. But mostly the tests have been a
waste of time and a major source of inappropriate stress and cognitive dissonance
for very young children.

The deadline has passed for any bill to reauthorize second-grade testing, but the
governor could still try to revive it through the conference committee report on
the state budget (the result of negotiations between him and the "Big Four" -
majority and minority leaders in both houses of the legislature). You can help
prevent this reincarnation by communicating with Assembly Majority Leader Fabian
Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Dom Perata.

Close-up on Second Grade STAR


Despite Program?s Expiration, Governor Pushes for Testing
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Although state law is phasing out second-grade students? participation in the
statewide STAR testing program in July, it is being reported that reinstating the
test for these youngsters is a top priority of the governor?s office.

CTA representatives have long pointed out that the testing program is both
counterproductive and costly. 

First, it puts youngsters not developmentally ready to deal with the test under
undue pressure.

Second, the testing of youngsters in second grade puts California out of synch
with the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB) that specifies
that testing should begin in third grade. In fact, phasing out the exam as
scheduled in July will make California the 42nd state to reject second-grade
testing.

Third, the amount of time that the testing has taken out of the instructional day
for these second-graders has also posed problems.

CTA advocates have also pointed out that the second-grade testing is costly,
representing a cost of  more than $3 million annually, money that could be better
spent on instructional programs for these youngsters.

CTA Members:
As you talk with your lawmakers on budget issues, urge them to stand firm against
the reauthorization of the second-grade STAR testing, which phases out in July
2007.  The fact that lawmakers agreed to let the examination sunset represents a
major victory for CTA. Preventing its reinstatement will mark another major
victory.

George Sheridan