Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
—Albert Einstein
Here is a “MUST READ” from Alfie Kohn. Kohn provides six questions that must be asked about any program that purport to improve student learning through assessment: the “data-driven” programs we hear so much about. In his words, “Programs with generic-sounding names that offer techniques for measuring (and raising) student achievement have been sprouting like fungi in a rainforest.” Read Kohn’s article here.
In my experience Kennewick administrators are dictating the programs and expecting teachers to act robot-like to implement them with all the testing which comes with the curriculum materials. More or less the worst case scenario described by Alfie Kohn.