tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10004193.post114144258910511679..comments2024-03-28T12:48:28.954-05:00Comments on Educational Equity, Politics & Policy in Texas: Exposing racism in educationAngela Valenzuelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16377527828841110131noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10004193.post-1141681266577507832006-03-06T15:41:00.000-06:002006-03-06T15:41:00.000-06:00I had the opportunity to read Mr. Navarrette's art...I had the opportunity to read Mr. Navarrette's article on http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006603010314 and felt compelled to respond. My intention is not to rant and rave about how wrong he was or to insult his intelligence. I merely want to inform him that at one time I had very similar beliefs regarding standardized testing and the NCLB Act. My thought were: "If teachers were teaching like they were supposed to be, they wouldn't be so defensive about administering this test to their kids - regardless of their race." However, recently I have begun researching standardized testing and educational racism and would like to pose some questions for thought:<BR/><BR/><BR/>Who creates the tests, scantrons, and curriculum used administer state tests? (Answer: Textbook companies who stand to make MILLIONS in profits)<BR/><BR/>Did you know that the CEOs of the textbook companies (the same ones that create the scantrons, tests, and curriculum), shape the educational agendas and politics of our American schools? <BR/><BR/>With profits to be made from the administration of tests, do you think that academic achievement is really the #1 priority of NCLB?<BR/><BR/>Based upon these questions, I sadly realize that NCLB is NOT about educating our kids and ensuring that everyone graduates with a strong skill/knowledge base. In my opinion, it is fueled more by money, politics and personal agendas. Yes, you and I agree that IDEALLY a test should be a good indicator of whether or not a teacher is doing his/her job in the classroom. But, this statement is ill-informed if you consider that:<BR/><BR/>1) Racism (whether it be overt or covert) exists within schools, which limits how far a teacher thinks a student will excel. Thus, many of the students who take the test have been affected by racial beliefs, hegemonics, and other restrictive means, which unlevel the playing fields.<BR/><BR/>2) NCLB's is too entwined with big business to be considered an effective remedy for solving our educational crisis - it is money driven, not student driven.<BR/><BR/>3) Schools are at risk of losing funding if their students do not perform well. Thus, many teachers are forced to stop teaching fundamental skills and are forced to teach test taking skills, which further inhibits their ability to attain the required academic skills that they are lacking.<BR/><BR/>Thus, it is my contention that the NCLB is not about the children at all. It is about cash. It is about classism. It is about categorizing. It is a sad policy that was implemented to supposedly ensure that our American children were learning. But are they really? I think not.<BR/><BR/>Taresa Mikle<BR/>TAMU Doctoral Student<BR/>Future Mover & ShakerSwirl Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128526610274151352noreply@blogger.com