As news of our local effort spreads, KSD Citizens has been noticed by other community-based parent and teacher organizations. We are currently trying to identify similar groups across the State and Nation and to provide our readers with links to their resources. Here is a link to one such group located in Western Washington.
We Are Not Alone
– June 8, 2010Posted in: Info
This organization has a single focus on standardized testing in contrast to our position of teaching the whole child. My primary interest is in persuading our school board to broaden curriculum opportunities for all Kennewick students.
Pretty much all of the currently popular “school reform,” including standards, accountability measures, standardized testing, school choice, charter schools, etc. are rooted in the business model for schools promulgated in the 1983 “A Nation At Risk.” In turn, these various reform efforts, particularly the standards and accountability movements, are what has driven the narrowing of the curriculum. Notwithstanding the findings of such notables as Rothstein and Ravitch that these reforms have not worked, the push goes on. The corporate dollars behind these efforts make it difficult for an individual or small local group to have much effect, but by finding compatible small groups and banding together to share resources there might be a chance to turn things around. To me, any group that has formed to resist any or all of the “nation At Risk” reforms is worth looking at and talking to.