In the Best Interest of Children?

Kim has two sons, one in third grade and one in sixth. This week in their public schools in Dix Hills, New York, teachers administered field tests to students. Developed by Pearson Publishers, who has a staggeringly profitable contract with New York to develop its new standardized tests, these practice tests are presumably “in the best interest of children.” Kim’s third grade son was slated to field test ELA questions  so Kim clearly communicated her interest in removing her son from any test-related experiences to the building principal and despite keeping him home during testing, her third grade son was actually tested upon arrival at school.  Kim’s sixth grade son wasn’t slated for testing, however the seventh and eighth graders at his middle school were. To minimize movement in the halls during the test, Kim’s older son was put into an auditorium with the rest of the sixth-graders to watch MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS.  From requirements that teachers lie to students and tell them it was a “real” test to references to MR. POPPER’s PENGUINS as a “science movie,” I wouldn’t have believed this story if it hadn’t happened to Kim. You can read about Kim’s experience on Diane Ravitch’s blog, Parent to Pearson: Let My Children Learn.