I need some good arguments against 1st grade testing

[Joe Navarro <jlnhca@yahoo.com>]

I teach in Hollister. For some reason, which I do not understand, our principal requires us to give a state standardized test to first grade students. This is supposed to help us gather data for preparing them to be successful second grade test takers. The rationale is that this will help to prevent us from eventually becoming a PI school.
   
  I am opposed to high stakes testing for all grades. But this first grade test in my opinion is crazy. In addition to the irrationality of the testing madness, it does take away from needed teaching. It demoralizes some of the students and creates some emotional issues during testing. The data will not be reliable by next year because the students will either demonstrate more growth by then and some will simply forget some of the things they have learned. Second grade teachers confirm the unreliability of the data from previous year testing results.
   
  In first grade we give state assessments (which we use only for district data) and our own district assessments and compare the data throughout the year. Huge chunks of teaching time is wasted because of testing. When sanity arrives, it will include meaningful assessments that are realistic and useful.
   
  Okay, I am trying to appeal to my principal's sense of reason and overcome her fear of the oppressive punitive sanctions against schools. If you have some good arguments that I can borrow, please reply to this email. Thank you.
   
  --Joe Navarro
   
   


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