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In the March 27 article, “Sen. Penry confused by disparities in plans,” the young senator states that he can’t understand Democrats’ support for HB 1186. What I can’t understand is how a Republican would support the state usurping a parent’s decision to act in the best interest of children.
I’ve spent the last month and a half driving all over the Western Slope to administer the CSAP tests. My costs alone are thousands of dollars and, although I appreciate the income, I can think of a lot better uses for our tax dollars — smaller class sizes, new computers, books, musical instruments, reading tutors, athletic equipment and after-school programs.
The state currently assesses the school a penalty for students who cannot or do not take the CSAP test. This includes children who are undergoing chemotherapy, have suffered a major family trauma and parents who refuse to let their children take the test because they don’t want their children and education to be reduced to school monitors for the state.
Forty-eight schools last year had their school accountability ratings unfairly lowered, not because of test scores but because of students who did not take the test.
Perhaps someone should explain to Sen. Penry that the data isn’t reliable if you are making up scores. This isn’t a matter of “piece meal reform.” This is a matter of common sense.
It’s time that the state quit pitting school administrators against parents and adopt policies that honor parental choice, support meaningful learning and ensure reliable data. If this concept confuses Sen. Penry, then perhaps he should begin looking for a new profession, preferably not in education. As a sidebar I am a Republican.
PATRICIA R. LANG
Olathe
One Response to “CSAPs allow for unfair school ratings”
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 8:56 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
The reason the state requires every student to take CSAP from third to tenth is because there is no faith between those wanting accountability and those giving the test. The assumption is that given no scores instead of zeros for kids whose parents opt out, there will suddenly be an educator-driven recommendations to parents that “well, if you don’t like the test, you can always opt out.”
In reality, currently, the number of parents opting out is very small. Which, if you think aboout it is interesting, because with all the grousing about CSAP, you think at least more teacher and administrative union members would opt out to avoid the damaging tests. Perhaps, most of them. like most parent, rally do want to have some way other than report cards and parent-teacher conferences to help them track how their kids are doing.
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