View Content #440
| Contentid | 440 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | "Failing Our Kids: Why the Testing Craze Won't Fix Our Schools" |
| Body | From: "Anselmo Villanueva" In the midst of growing controversy and opposition to the testing and adequate yearly progress (AYP) provisions of the NCLB, Rethinking Schools announced that as of July 15, 2003 it is making available at cost its widely praised book, "Failing Our Kids: Why the Testing Craze Won't Fix Our Schools." The book features more than 50 articles by parents, community activists, teachers, students, and researchers that provide a comprehensive indictment of high-stakes testing. "Failing Our Kids reveals in vivid and poignant detail not only why the testing craze won't fix our schools, but how it undermines our goal of high-quality teaching and learning for all children," said Jeannie Oakes, professor at the University of California-Los Angeles and author of "Keeping Track: How Schools Structure Inequality." Rethinking Schools editors made the decision at their recent national meeting in order to contribute to the growing movement against the NCLB. "We hope that by making this book available to a broader audience we will help the struggle against these anti-child provisions of the NCLB," stated Bob Peterson, an editor of Rethinking Schools. Contributors to "Failing Our Kids" understand the need to asses how our children and schools are doing. Thus the book details innovative student assessment practices that have proven successful in a growing number of schools nationwide. Several of the articles argue that relying on standardized tests distorts student learning, exacerbates inequities for low-income students and students of color, and undermines true accountability. Other articles provide specific ideas on how to improve the quality of education through using more authentic forms of assessment. Edited by Barbara Miner, former managing editor, and Kathy Swope, editor of Rethinking Schools, "Failing Our Kids" is a must read for anyone interested in countering the testing and AYP provisions of the NCLB legislation. "Failing Our Kids" is divided into seven chapters -- offering the views of parents, students and classroom teachers, as well as research by noted scholars on the history and consequences of standardized testing. Other chapters look at alternatives to standardized tests and how standards and testing affect the education of students of color. The final chapter includes an extensive resource listing of local, state, and national organizations fighting against standardized testing, as well listing of books, publications, and web sites on critiques of testing and possible alternatives. To see the complete table of contents visit www.rethinkingschools.org, click on publications and then Failing Our Kids. Single copies are available for $8 at www.rethinkingschools.org. Starting July 15, 2003, however, orders of 25 or more for distribution (not resale) at conferences, staffs, or classrooms are available for only $2 each plus shipping. Rethinking Schools encourages teacher and parent activists, as well as university professors to take advantage of this unique offer. To take advantage of this special offer go to www.rethinkingschools.org and use the code 5BFOK1 when ordering "Failing Our Kids." Bob Peterson Editor Rethinking Schools 1001 E. Keefe Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53212 414-964-9646 (office) 414-964-7220 (fax) 414-265-6217 (home) www.rethinkingschools.org repmilw@aol.com |
| Source | Rethinking Schools |
| Inputdate | 2003-07-25 14:22:00 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2003-07-25 14:22:00 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | Not set |
| Displaydate | Not set |
| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
