Sucking the Oxygen Out of the Room

Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, used the above phrase to describe how “teaching to the test” – schools focusing on student evaluations based on test scores over real learning – was indeed “sucking the oxygen out of the room in a lot of schools.” Some states, once embracing then denying the “Common Core” curriculum, are also refusing to apply this standard to their schools, and are paying the price in federal educational support.

“The Common Core State Standards Initiative is an educational initiative in the United States that details what K-12 students should know in English language arts and mathematics at the end of each grade. The initiative is sponsored by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and seeks to establish consistent educational standards across the states as well as ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit-bearing courses at two- or four-year college programs or to enter the workforce.” Wikipedia. Oklahoma, for example, has returned to its former and less rigorous standards. Some states, like Washington, refuse to mandate that their school districts use test scores in teach evaluations. Both are feeling the pinch from the federal government.

American primary and secondary students, in just about any viable international comparison published of late, never fall into their former top position anymore, never even making it to the top ten in reading, math or problem-solving, often falling well below 20^th place in too many instances. Our students are falling increasingly behind in global competition, a reality reflected in the abysmal quality of most of the “new jobs” that are available to recent grads and those displaced by the recent recession. Lacking meaningful “underemployment” or “job quality” measurements, our “improving” unemployment statistics remain a joke. The vast majority of Americans have been losing buying power consistently for over 12 years.  

Still, our educational system, slammed by budget cuts by “conservative” legislators who put disguised religiosity over academics and simply refuse to improve their schools under the mythology of “fiscal responsibility,” and by teachers’ unions protect bad teachers with misused concepts of “tenure” and union priorities that offer virtually no benefits to their under-taught students. We are becoming a second-rate country with second-rate competencies, unable to keep up with developed and even some developing nations.

A recent “Catch-22” occurred in Washington State. A stellar school, one that seemed to have created an academic miracle, fell into a category of “failing school” under the No Child Left Behind Act, and despite an incredible change in student performance, was now subject to federal penalties and financial requirements under that statute (required for a state to receive federal support).

“Three years ago, Lakeridge Elementary School, where most pupils come from lower-income families, was totally remade. A new principal arrived and replaced half the staff, and she lengthened the school day and year. Working with a $3 million federal grant, the staff collaborated with the University of Washington to train teachers in new instructional techniques. The results were powerful: Test scores soared… Just three years ago, only 20 percent of fifth graders passed state math tests. This past year, close to 80 percent did.” New York Times, October 4^th. But because the state standard for teach evaluation was not based on test scores (not a Washington State mandate as noted above) but by an impossible alternative standard that applies when test scores aren’t definitive – 100% math and reading proficiency – the school flunked.

“‘In Washington, a bill that would have required that the performance of students on state tests be a part of educators’ evaluations failed in the State Senate by a vote of 28-19 in February… Supporters said the measure would have averted the current absurdity of so many failing schools… ‘What we’re doing today in this state is crazy,’ said Randy Dorn, the state superintendent.

“Kim Mead, the president of the Washington Education Association, a union that represents 83,000 members, said schools were already adopting a new evaluation system requiring teachers to demonstrate students’ progress during the year, using measures developed locally among teachers and administrators. Because the ratings do not include state standardized test scores, the federal Education Department says the new system is insufficient.” NY Times. Despite the quote above, Arne Duncan believes that Washington State, and hence Lakeridge Elementary, have to pay the price.

“The 100 percent requirement was set under No Child Left Behind, the 2001 signature law of the George W. Bush administration once hailed as a bipartisan project to hold schools accountable for the academic achievement of all students, especially children of color and those who live in poverty. While educators have increasingly pushed for revisions, Congress has failed to change the law, as Democrats and Republicans squabble over what role the federal government should play in public schools.

“Faced with congressional gridlock, the Obama administration two years ago bypassed Congress and issued waivers to 43 states, excusing them from the requirement on the condition that they put into effect rigorous academic standards, such as the Common Core, and incorporate student test scores into performance ratings of teachers. A handful of states, including California and Vermont, refused to use test scores in teacher ratings, and either did not apply for or were denied waivers.” NY Times. And Washington State as well.

Children are neither ping pong balls nor pawns; they are our entire future. It’s too easy to say that Congress doesn’t care about educating our children, not really, but it also doesn’t seem to care about much other than voting strictly in accordance with stupid and impractical slogans... missing the essential requirement of their sworn duties.

 I’m Peter Dekom, and our rather rapid slide towards mediocrity seems to be a very steep price to pay for the worst period of Congressional and state legislative inactivity in over a century and a half.