Confronting Oppressive Assessments

“I fought the law, and the law won.” So declares the Bobby Fuller Four in their 1960’s hit song. Many teachers, parents, and friends of public education have felt this sense of hopelessness and loss of power since the beginning of the No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top era as they faced a seemingly insurmountable force of political and corporate support of so-called “educational reform,” which focuses on standardized testing, a narrowed curriculum, and hyper-criticism of teachers and schools. Polka and McKenna have accomplished the unlikely task of putting together a book that is both cathartic and empowering as readers hear from those in the trenches: parents, teachers, administrators, and university teacher educators who are fighting for what is best for children, and in many cases winning the battle. Read, be inspired, and then engage: There is much yet to be done, but this volume gives evidence that it can be done! -- Terrell M. Peace Ph.D, Past President Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Teacher Education, Huntington University
This book provides the first-hand perspective of several accomplished educators on the impact of recent education reforms. Its timely analysis demonstrates the source of the motivation of thousands of parents and practitioners to challenge the rationale for high stakes testing and offers an alternative vision for a child-centered education system. -- Kevin S. Casey, Executive Director, School Administrators Association of New York State
Amid growing concerns over educational reforms that run counter to sound, evidence-based education, Polka and McKenna have exposed the dangers of complacency. They have provided a compelling argument and now urge us to step forward onto the path they have laid out to do what is right for our children. All it will take now is courage. -- Shirley Lefever-Davis Ph.D, Dean, College of Education, Wichita State University, 2015-2017 president, Association of Teacher Educations (ATE)
The authors in this book present a strong case for all of us--parents, teachers, educators, concerned citizens, and policy-makers--to stand firm in advocating for schools where every child has the opportunity to flourish rather than flounder. I really appreciate the work, the passion, and the rationale that they have created for stopping the testing madness. Let's hope it spreads. -- Freddie A. Bowles Ph.D, Associate Professor of Foreign Language Education, College of Education and Health Professions, Program Director for Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education
This book entails innovative and relative ideas and practices of the trends in education that are beneficial to programs all over the nation.  The knowledge gained can be an asset to program modification in education. -- Jennifer Young, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS., NCATE /Assessment Coordinator, Assistant Professor, Education
Polka and McKenna unite readers in a quest for doing what is right—right for children, right for teachers, and right for our educational system. Chapter authors rally readers against one-size-fits-all assessments with logic, theory, and personal accounts of how overtesting of students undermines creativity, divergent thinking, and motivation to learn. This book is a must-read for all who seek to understand the impact of No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and commercial assessments. It comprehensively acknowledges the significance of designing education with respect for individual differences and needs within children. This book is so interesting and reader-friendly that it captivates the reader to truly reflect about what should be the direction of education in America today! -- Cathy J. Pearman, Professor, Department Head, Reading, Foundations, and Technology, Missouri State University
In today's interdependent global society, every individual depends on all other individuals to express both experienced wisdom and heart-felt appreciation of all peoples and the world. This insightful and inspiration text offers readers with guidance and hope for transforming education to an inviting and exciting system built on authentic interactions advancing individuals and societies. As advocates for the future, the authors of this text equip and empower readers to "be the change they want to see in the world." -- Nancy P. Gallavan, PhD, University of Central Arkansas, Professor of Teacher Education, Department of Teaching and Learning, 2013-2014 President, Association of Teacher Educations (ATE)
In today’s fast-paced digital age reading a book may seem archaic. But if you want to challenge your comfort zone on the current state of education reforms, then this book is a must-read. Confronting Oppressive Assessments is a clarion call for an honest examination of current education “reforms” and offers a path for those who believe in a child-centered curriculum that places evaluation in its proper perspective. The authors have done a great service not only for practitioners, but the general public by piercing the polemics of the reformers and offering a logical, cliché-free pathway to educational growth. -- Pierre Lehmuller, Executive Director of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association
Great teachers have two criteria for appropriate use of assessments: (1) Does the assessment improve our efficacy as teachers? and (2) Do we use the results of the assessment in ways that are humane? A good test should help us become better teachers and our students become better learners. Everyone should benefit from the process. Our current system of test, rank, and punish does not meet these criteria. And kids get harmed in the process. This book offers a rational, compassionate alternative to our current system. I hope that policymakers will read and learn from these outstanding authors. -- Rich Ognibene, Emeritus Professor of Education and former dean at the College of St. Rose and Seton Hall University, and Siena College
This book lays out how education should be viewed through a child-centered, individualized approach as opposed to the current one-standard-fits-all approach. Through the history of CCLS development, its implementation and its connection to high stakes testing, the authors expertly guide readers on a journey of how public education is on the verge of becoming privatized. It calls out NYSED for “building the plane in the air” and offers grounded solutions on how we can get back the love of learning, as well as the joy of teaching. -- Tom Payton, Principal of Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, Riverhead Central School District and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) New York State Representative