The Test to Nowhere

I was thrilled to see this article by Sara Toth, local Education reporter. I am also extremely grateful that the Howard County PTA is taking a stand against administering the MSA's this year. Now that we have shifted to using the Common Core Curriculum, the MSA's are no longer a relevant or useful assessment.

But they're going to give them anyway? Just because "We have to"?

It is the responsibility of the Howard County School System to put the educational needs of its students first. Administering these tests when they no longer correspond with our curriculum and will not provide useful information about our students is a violation of their mandate. Standing on the side of rules, regulations and legalism is not where our school system should be.

I don't care if if standing up for the rights of our children is considered tilting at windmills. It is our responsibility to hold the school system to its promises. They seem to need a reminder right now. Here's a good one:

Goal 1: Students

Every student achieves academic excellence in an inspiring, engaging, and supportive environment.

We believe in...

Achieving excellence in all we do

Developing each student's unique gifts

Engaging students in relevant, experiential, and personalized learning

Cultivating creative problem solving, critical thinking, and innovation

Promoting integrity, civility, and global citizenship

Enriching learning by honoring our diversity

Fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility

Removing barriers to success

How does forcing students to take unnecessary tests fit into this picture? It doesn't.

If you stand with the Howard County PTA, let them know and ask how you can help. I recommend writing the Superintendent, the Board of Education, and your State legislators. Every night we encourage our children to follow up on a day of learning by doing their homework. Now it is time for us to do ours.

Posted with Blogsy

Comments

Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else. Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday. Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018. 2018 . But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest. In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...

What Kids Are Thinking

It’s a Monday in February, and if you guessed that a lot of Howard County students have the new cell phone policy on their minds, you’d be right. It will mean big changes and it will be stressful, no matter how much good we hope it will do in the long run. But on this particular Monday cell phones might not be top of mind, as amazing as that seems. Some kids will go to school wondering if they or family members will be seized by ICE. Some will fear that their parents’ employment will be purged by the ongoing rampage of Elon Musk and his cronies through Federal Government. Some fear heightened and renewed racism as programs that supprted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vilified and destroyed. Some worry that it soon won’t be safe for them to use the bathroom in school anymore. It goes without saying that some kids fear going to school every day because of the prevalence of school shootings. And look! Here’s something new to fear. That old hate group, Libs of TikTo...

Village Green/Town²

Search This Blog