tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111658252024-03-09T11:44:16.974-08:00Educational JusticeFrom a collective of progressive education activists - stuff about teaching, thinking, parenting, social justice, desegregation, self-determination, economic justice, music, creativity, and building progressive movements for our futureKathy Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038518567566419311noreply@blogger.comBlogger895125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-80598630021801754232021-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:002021-01-03T12:28:32.912-08:00<p> Now that I am retired, I might start posting again. Here's a letter I wrote just now to the NYT in response to<a href="https://nyti.ms/3pMJcwT" target="_blank"> their editorial on Betsy DeVos.</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Dear Editor,<br /></p><div>I continue to be amazed at our bedrock assumption that test scores
are a measure of learning despite the fact that they can never be so.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>During
the first 16 years after graduating from college, I taught high school
history at Groton, and then at three NYC independent schools - was fired
three times and then blacklisted, so I moved to San Francisco and got
my PhD in education. I then became a community organizer around school
reform in San Francisco and co-founded the SF Freedom School. This led
to a job at SF State University teaching political science. I taught at
SFSU for 13 years. During the last four years, I helped to revive the
Experimental College (became its first director) and am now just retired
at 65. During my entire educational career, standardized tests have
been my nemesis.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>While teaching U.S history
to rich kids in NYC, I refused to make history boring, a mere
recitation of dates, the names of white, rich men, and battles. I wanted
them to see history as crucial to their lives as active citizens. I
got in trouble for being good at that. The constant complaint from
administrators and parents was, I "wasn't preparing my students for the
test" -- the US History Achievement and US History Advanced Placement
tests. So, when I entered my PhD program at UC Davis, I was particularly
interested in my Educational Testing and Policy courses. I learned
how standardized tests scores have been misused by policy makers and the
media and that business leaders have always driven educational policy.
I have tried (and failed) to persuade teachers and parents that
standardized tests CREATE the achievement gap so they can NOT be used as
a tool to reduce it. I gave up this fight around 2007, totally
defeated. I had hoped by now that, at least, there might be some
question about the role of standardized tests in measuring educational
quality if not learning. Your editorial disabused me of that notion.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of
course, I wonder why? The only answer I can come up with is that
standardized testing is inextricably intertwined with basic American
mythology. Simply, it goes like this:<br /></div><ul><li><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov92/vol50/num03/On-Deming-and-School-Quality@-A-Conversation-with-Enid-Brown.aspx&source=gmail&ust=1609791468790000&usg=AFQjCNH-VFi8AEdLcDPS75ugW2spIVMp3Q" href="http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov92/vol50/num03/On-Deming-and-School-Quality@-A-Conversation-with-Enid-Brown.aspx" target="_blank">Learning should never be measured or ranked.<br /></a></li><li><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/04/business/economy/social-mobility-south.html&source=gmail&ust=1609791468791000&usg=AFQjCNFyoURiHOWq4O0-x8qdbTFBfBhsog" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/04/business/economy/social-mobility-south.html" target="_blank">Legitimacy of social and economic inequality relies fundamentally upon the myth that the US is a meritocracy -</a> more merit, more money.</li><li>Education is believed to be key to gaining merit and money.<br /></li><li>But to maintain inequality, we need to measure learning.</li><li>Hence, standardized tests (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/schools/interviews/popham.html&source=gmail&ust=1609791468791000&usg=AFQjCNHAtcQSxfUaot03Gw0WzF-8LR7DmA" href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/schools/interviews/popham.html" target="_blank">designed on purpose to create the widest possible point spread</a>) are used to distribute privilege and prestige to those who "deserve" it.<br /></li></ul><div>We
often speak of a third rails in the political system. But standardized
tests seem to be the engine that drives the system. Never to be
questioned or seen for what it is.</div>Kathy Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038518567566419311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-43054164747305147712020-07-29T15:02:00.001-07:002020-07-29T15:02:39.931-07:00 Educators- Day Day of Resistance - Covid-19<a href="https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2020/07/educators-day-day-of-resistance-covid-19.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Educators- Day Day of Resistance - Covid-19</a>: Overview What is the National Day of Resistance, #EquityorElse? Thousands of parents, students, educators and school staff t...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-73689266947462118042019-07-10T20:56:00.001-07:002019-07-10T20:56:25.688-07:00SCUSD Trying to Break Teachers Contract<a href="https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2019/07/scusd-trying-to-break-teachers-contract.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: SCUSD Trying to Break Teachers Contract</a>: Reposted from Majority, July 08, 2019 The Sacramento School District is trying to set a dangerous precedent of breaking cont...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-42187419755043172442019-04-01T14:31:00.001-07:002019-04-01T14:31:27.470-07:00Choosing Democracy: Sacramento Teachers Uprising ?<a href="https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2019/04/sacramento-teachers-uprising.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Sacramento Teachers Uprising ?</a>: The #RedForEd Wave has already swept through Los Angeles and Oakland this year, with thousands of brave educators going on strike...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-11659669124600523052019-02-22T16:11:00.001-08:002019-02-22T16:11:58.209-08:00Choosing Democracy: Oakland Teachers Strike- Day 2<a href="https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2019/02/were-fighting-mean-spirited-and.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Oakland Teachers Strike- Day 2</a>: “We’re Fighting a Mean-Spirited and Antidemocratic Attack on Public Education” AN INTERVIEW WITH TIM MARSHALL Oakland teachers a...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-486568930073455622019-02-21T14:39:00.001-08:002019-02-21T14:39:49.517-08:00Choosing Democracy: We Stand With Oakland Teachers<a href="https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2019/02/blog-post.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: We Stand With Oakland Teachers</a>: The union contends that all of the district’s offers to date don’t leave teachers with enough money to keep pace w...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-34432680178070177562018-05-02T16:44:00.001-07:002018-05-02T16:44:48.350-07:00Choosing Democracy: Arizona Joins Red State Revolt: Teachers’ Strike R...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2018/05/arizona-joins-red-state-revolt-teachers.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Arizona Joins Red State Revolt: Teachers’ Strike R...</a>Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-84178573743295636502018-02-14T19:31:00.001-08:002018-02-14T19:31:02.792-08:00 Praxis Center | Myths about Teachers: We Need More...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2018/02/praxis-center-myths-about-teachers-we.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Praxis Center | Myths about Teachers: We Need More...</a>: Praxis Center | Myths about Teachers: We Need More Police in Our Public Schools |Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-42989204498560935412017-11-08T15:18:00.001-08:002017-11-08T15:18:06.684-08:00Latino Students in California Schools<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/11/latino-students-in-california-schools.html?spref=bl"> Latino Students in California Schools</a>: “The Majority Report: Supporting the Educational Success of Latino Students in California” provides an extensive look at how the state’...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-73481257990272287662017-10-26T11:21:00.001-07:002017-10-26T11:21:24.517-07:00 Charter Schools, Vouchers, Who Do They Serve ?<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/10/charter-schools-vouchers-who-do-they.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Charter Schools, Vouchers, Who Do They Serve</a>: https://cloakinginequity.com/2017/10/22/betsy-devos-and-trump-are-wrong-what-we-know-about-school-privatization/ See the Video. Includi...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-74808064085550162672017-09-05T14:13:00.001-07:002017-09-05T14:13:51.623-07:00antiracismdsa: Trump is Wrong on DACA : Resist<a href="http://antiracismdsa.blogspot.com/2017/09/trump-is-wrong-on-daca-resist.html?spref=bl">antiracismdsa: Trump is Wrong on DACA : Resist</a>: Trump is wrong on DACA. We will not retreat. DSA Immigrants’ Rights Committee Statement on DACA President Donald Trum...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-22339256959589930252017-04-24T21:19:00.001-07:002017-04-24T21:19:07.360-07:00Choosing Democracy: The Coming May Day Strike May be the Biggest in ov...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-coming-may-day-strike-may-be.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: The Coming May Day Strike May be the Biggest in ov...</a>: by Sarah Aziza, Working In These Times This article was first posted by Waging Nonviolence. When 26-year-old Catalina Adorno hit ...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-57297589595970051502017-02-15T12:58:00.001-08:002017-02-15T12:58:50.019-08:00 School District - Safe Haven<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/02/school-district-safe-haven.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: School District - Safe Haven</a><br /><br />
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SacramentoDuane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-76731783672473518562017-02-07T20:21:00.001-08:002017-02-07T20:21:59.029-08:00Choosing Democracy: DeVos Confirmed Despite Protests<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/02/devos-confirmed-despite-protests.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: DeVos Confirmed Despite Protests</a>: Diane Ravitch's blog Diane Ravitch The confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education is an outrageous insult to the mill...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-44259707195325198532017-01-31T11:29:00.001-08:002017-01-31T11:29:38.162-08:00Choosing Democracy: Defeat DeVos- Call Your Senator Now<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/01/defeat-devos-call-your-senator-now.html?spref=bl"> Defeat DeVos- Call Your Senator Now</a>: The Senate education committee just voted to advance Betsy DeVos’ nomination for secretary of education. Next she’ll face the real ...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-39460486981943484042017-01-18T21:09:00.001-08:002017-01-18T21:09:30.199-08:00Choosing Democracy: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is a "Horrifying P...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/01/education-secretary-betsy-devos-is.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is a "Horrifying P...</a>: Public school teacher speaks up.Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-61050112587921091982017-01-17T21:13:00.001-08:002017-01-17T21:13:57.737-08:00Choosing Democracy: What will Betsy DeVos’ focus on school choice mean...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/01/what-will-betsy-devos-focus-on-school.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: What will Betsy DeVos’ focus on school choice mean...</a>: Both Major Teachers’ Unions Oppose Betsy DeVos. What will Betsy DeVos’ focus on school choice mean for public education? : Education...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-41887098291877692122017-01-11T10:31:00.001-08:002017-01-11T10:31:16.057-08:00Choosing Democracy: Betsy DeVos - Bad for America's Children<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/01/betsy-devos-bad-for-americas-children.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Betsy DeVos - Bad for America's Children</a>: The more we learn, the more we are certain that Betsy DeVos is bad for public schools and for kids. When De Vos has to choose between ...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-70327844309440540192016-12-06T16:40:00.001-08:002016-12-06T16:40:08.941-08:00Choosing Democracy: Betsy DeVos Would Dismantle Public Schools<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/12/betsy-devos-would-dismantle-public.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Betsy DeVos Would Dismantle Public Schools</a>: By nominating Betsy DeVos for secretary of education, Donald Trump has shown he is serious about decimating public education. For the last...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-7725864576293567172016-11-29T17:20:00.001-08:002016-11-29T17:20:59.767-08:00Choosing Democracy: Trump and Resistance<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/11/trump-and-resistance.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Trump and Resistance</a>: Hillary Clinton won the election by 2 million votes, but Donald Trump won the Presidency in the Electoral College. What’s that you say a...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-79404406928144955302016-11-20T20:10:00.001-08:002016-11-20T20:10:18.850-08:00Choosing Democracy: Sacramento in the Trump House<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/11/sacramento-in-trump-house.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Sacramento in the Trump House</a>: Sacramento outgoing first lady Michelle Rhee and outgoing Mayor Kevin Johnson met with President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday as Rh...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-78758781475403202016-10-21T10:54:00.001-07:002016-10-21T10:54:24.203-07:00Choosing Democracy: Voters Guide : The California Propositions<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/10/voters-guide-california-propositions.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Voters Guide : The California Propositions</a>: Sacramento Progressive Alliance Voter Guide with Voting Recommendations in November 2016 Elections, with prominent YES co-endorsers YES on...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-65884518396803864542016-10-19T20:54:00.001-07:002016-10-19T20:54:49.663-07:00Choosing Democracy: Yes On Proposition 58<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/10/yes-on-proposition-58.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: Yes On Proposition 58</a>Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-86629606109651825322016-09-27T10:12:00.001-07:002016-09-27T10:12:08.641-07:00Choosing Democracy: California Comeback: How a Ballot Measure Brought ...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/09/california-comeback-how-ballot-measure.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: California Comeback: How a Ballot Measure Brought ...</a>: Four years ago California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 30, the emergency ballot measure that Governor Jerry Brown and state ...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11165825.post-87991079828471758852016-09-12T15:23:00.001-07:002016-09-12T15:23:58.476-07:00Choosing Democracy: How Messed Up is California's Charter School Secto...<a href="http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-messed-up-is-californias-charter.html?spref=bl">Choosing Democracy: How Messed Up is California's Charter School Secto...</a>: Difficult to Believe . Valerie Straus, Ohio and Utah are known in education circles for having extraordinarily troubled charter s...Duane Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01437689584657643858noreply@blogger.com0