A CHANGE OF HEART: DUNCAN MOVES TO THE MORATORIUM POSITION OF WOODS Last Monday, I called for a two-year moratorium on the use of Milestones test scores in teacher evaluation calculations and a top-down review of the new testing and evaluation components. At a forum on Tuesday, I reiterated my measured approach to these issues. When pressed at the forum, my opponent responded by saying that she wouldnt necessarily call for a moratorium. She then followed up with an email blast accusing me of playing politics and calling into question the accuracy of my statements. My call for a moratorium was about doing whats best for Georgias teachers and students. In contrast, my opponent continued to offer campaign rhetoric and superficial substance instead of real solutions. Typically, Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, and I do not see eye-to-eye on education policy. Duncan was one of the architects of Race to the Top. I was and continue to be a critic of the program because of its over-testing, unfunded mandates, and unfair evaluation of teachers. Interestingly enough, Education Week posted an article discussing Arne Duncans concerns over aligning teacher evaluations with untried assessments two days after the forum: In discussions with teachers, Duncan has repeatedly heard complaints that it doesnt make sense to hold teachers accountable during the 2014-15 transition year for new assessments aligned with the Common Core State Standards, especially when theyve never seen the test before. This holds true in Georgia as many teachers have not seen the testing framework for the Milestones test. It is good to see Mr. Duncan finally come around on this issue. Perhaps this revelation will help to reverse the path we are currently on. Like my opponent, our U.S. Secretary of Education has not taught in the classroom. With so many complex and intertwined issues facing education within our nation and state, it is clear that classroom experience and wisdom are critical for the state school superintendent position. The people of Georgia need and deserve a state superintendent who has the frame of reference for policy decisions and one who does not need a crash course in classroom experience. woodsforsuper/duncan-change-of-heart.html
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:00:00 +0000