Summary of Our Goals
The Anti-test's goal is to try and improve education in Colorado through student involvement. We, and hopefully you, plan to protest the standardization and privatization of education in Colorado, which we consider to be a major flaw. Most recently the CMAS and PARCC tests have given us great concern that public education in Colorado has not taken the direction we see fit.
In short, we want educational reform with regards to standardized testing in Colorado, and we want your help in bringing about this change. There will be a protest on March 7th on the West Steps of the Capitol building in Denver; we are calling for a three year moratorium on standardized testing, so that time and energy may be focused upon lasting educational reform. We have a website, a Facebook page, an email, t-shirts, business cards, and a lot of support from students who have seen and experienced the same fundamental flaws that we have. There is plenty of room for your help, and plenty of space for your voice to be heard; if you'd like to help, you can contact us, and we will gladly welcome your input and support!
Although we recognize that some standardized testing is necessary to uphold a standard of education; we feel that there are definable flaws with the system in Colorado. The CMAS, PARCC, and many tests like them are not actually owned by the State, but are instead run by a private company: Pearson. The motives and means of private companies are not evil, but they run counter to the aims of public education. Capitalism works because there are winners and losers, and therefore an incentive to succeed. A capitalist or privatized education system is flawed for the same reason: there are winners and losers, and society and individuals only benefit when education aims to serve the entire public, and not just the wealthy or academically gifted. Because we believe education should be public, we think that testing should be too. Tests should be written by teachers in Colorado; they are, after all, the experts. Teachers help set the standard of education and must design curriculum in order to teach to the standard. Therefore, they should also be able to see the tests their students take. This way, teachers can give feedback as to how well the test assesses the standard which the students need to meet. This creates an open, constructive, and transparent dialogue regarding the standards in Colorado, and the tests that determine if they're being met.
If these grievances and goals resonate with your experiences with standardized testing, consider this a call to action. We welcome your help and input in creating lasting and fundamental change!
Our Full Manifesto
The Anti-test's goal is to try and improve education in Colorado through student involvement. We, and hopefully you, plan to protest the standardization and privatization of education in Colorado, which we consider to be a major flaw. Most recently the CMAS and PARCC tests have given us great concern that public education in Colorado has not taken the direction we see fit.
In short, we want educational reform with regards to standardized testing in Colorado, and we want your help in bringing about this change. There will be a protest on March 7th on the West Steps of the Capitol building in Denver; we are calling for a three year moratorium on standardized testing, so that time and energy may be focused upon lasting educational reform. We have a website, a Facebook page, an email, t-shirts, business cards, and a lot of support from students who have seen and experienced the same fundamental flaws that we have. There is plenty of room for your help, and plenty of space for your voice to be heard; if you'd like to help, you can contact us, and we will gladly welcome your input and support!
Although we recognize that some standardized testing is necessary to uphold a standard of education; we feel that there are definable flaws with the system in Colorado. The CMAS, PARCC, and many tests like them are not actually owned by the State, but are instead run by a private company: Pearson. The motives and means of private companies are not evil, but they run counter to the aims of public education. Capitalism works because there are winners and losers, and therefore an incentive to succeed. A capitalist or privatized education system is flawed for the same reason: there are winners and losers, and society and individuals only benefit when education aims to serve the entire public, and not just the wealthy or academically gifted. Because we believe education should be public, we think that testing should be too. Tests should be written by teachers in Colorado; they are, after all, the experts. Teachers help set the standard of education and must design curriculum in order to teach to the standard. Therefore, they should also be able to see the tests their students take. This way, teachers can give feedback as to how well the test assesses the standard which the students need to meet. This creates an open, constructive, and transparent dialogue regarding the standards in Colorado, and the tests that determine if they're being met.
If these grievances and goals resonate with your experiences with standardized testing, consider this a call to action. We welcome your help and input in creating lasting and fundamental change!
Our Full Manifesto
manifesto.docx | |
File Size: | 122 kb |
File Type: | docx |