The General Assembly Needs To Override The Governor’s Veto Of Opt-Out Bill
It’s interesting how the biggest proponents of Choice! are the ones now against it. Then again, anyone who understands how Choice came to be and the reasons behind it knows it never had anything to do with giving parents options. Choice was simply the stepping stone to privatizing our public schools. Choice is what has hurt our public schools; it’s what opened the door to charters and privatization (as well as magnet schools). What we’re dealing with now in education wouldn’t be possible if we hadn’t implemented a system designed to create high poverty schools – schools no one has seriously tried to help.
But the point has never been to help high poverty, struggling schools. The point, and one I’ve been making for over a decade, is to privatize/charterize our public schools. It’s no coincidence that the privateers started with the poorest among us – the ones with the least influence and voice. It’s how they got their foot in the door. Take a good long look at the city of Wilmington. That’s the plan for everyone. Yep, all this will spread outward (and is spreading) to suburbia. No one actually thinks that Ed Reformers are going to let all that education money slip through their hands, do they? Of course not. What they’ve done/are doing to our struggling schools sets the precedent. And once that precedent is set it will spread like wildfire.
Which brings me to the point of this post and Mike Matthews’ Delaware Voice column. The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is the tool to implement this agenda. This test isn’t about helping children learn; it’s about labeling schools and teachers as failing so the next step in the Ed reformer’s agenda can be implemented. Remember Priority Schools? Remember how ALL roads in that plan led to privatization and charterizatiion? Out of everything in that plan only private/charter conversion was carved in stone. The reason it was carved in stone was because it was the end game.
The way you get to that end game is through SBA. This test (and I’ve written about how awful a test it is before) isn’t about helping children learn, it’s about labeling schools and teachers as failing so the school can be handed over to the business community – which then can tap into all those education dollars – and the teachers replaced by those who will work for less with no union.
But something happened – parents started hearing about this test, and what was going on in the classroom because of this test, through their kids, and what they heard deeply concerned them. My daughter took the SBA when she was a junior in high school, and boy, did I get an earful. My daughter does extremely well on standardized tests. She even received a scholarship from the State of Delaware for her high state test scores, so I was concerned when she came home after taking the SBA and announced it a complete mess, with tons of errors (especially in the math portion) and written in such a way that she questioned if English was the test writers first language. I bet a lot of parents heard the same thing I did. In fact, I know they did.
Which brings us to parents wanting to opt-out (Choice-out?) of the test. Suddenly Choice! – the word ed reformers have built their entire agenda on – is bad. Which begs the question: Was Choice ever really about giving parents choice or was it merely a necessary step to get us where we are now?
I’ll turn this over to Mike’s Delaware Voice column. Go read the whole thing!
The hallmark of Gov. Jack Markell’s education agenda has been to place an unbearable emphasis on standardized testing. In laying out his plans and in his first six years in office, he stacked the leadership of the Department of Education with ideologues whose biggest goals have been to test, label, punish, and “turnaround” schools.
Under Markell’s administration, testing in classrooms has skyrocketed. Teachers and specialists have been faced with obscene amounts of data entry and test prep to prove they’re implementing all standards and curriculum with absolute “fidelity.” Because of this, teachers often have to forego truly fun and engaging lessons just so they can stick to the script given to them by billionaire textbook publishers.
Under Markell’s administration, play and social and emotional learning have been stripped in the classes of our youngest learners. Curriculum is being sped up all in the name of the developmentally-inappropriate Common Core State Standards. Kindergarten teachers in my district and others have reported loss of dramatic play centers because they are told they need to teach more letters and sight words. Students are given inadequate recess time and time to be kids — all because of the governor’s interest in test scores and “rigor.”
This. This is exactly why our kids have fallen behind. None of this is about them. Kindergarten serves many purposes (yes, letters, numbers, etc. are part of it) and some of the most important are being ignored. Kindergarten teaches kids how to go to school, how to get along with others and implements the school structure kids will need as they move through higher grades. These skills are vitally important and we’re getting rid of them… in the name of rigor. I really hate that word, mainly because it’s so meaningless.
rigor:
1 a (1) : harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity (2) : the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness (3) : severity of life : austerity b : an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty2 : a tremor caused by a chill
3 : a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable; especially : extremity of cold
4 : strict precision : exactness <logical rigor>
Hmmm… perhaps, given the main definition, ed reformers are using the word correctly.
Back to Mike!
So why is it that the governor would be so shocked that the Parental Opt-Out Movement has picked up so much steam in Delaware? Why did the Opt-Out Bill, HB 50, pass both houses of the General Assembly with such stunning super-majorities?
Here’s the answer: A clear majority of our senators and representatives recognize and value the separation of powers and that they are to do the work of the people and not the executive branch. They heard from their constituents and they voted in a manner that squares with their requests.
I can’t understand why the governor would be so surprised that this grassroots movement would take hold because it’s totally a response to a failed education agenda that hasn’t actually increased achievement levels on the one test that is considered the standard-bearer for measuring student success, the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Please go read Mike’s column. And remember it the next time someone waxes lyrical about Choice! They’re only for it if you choose what they want you to choose and it helps their agenda.
The General Assembly needs to override the veto.
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I wonder how the recent news that Delaware 11th graders are now taking the SAT instead of the SBA fits into this?
Was the Markell Admin trying to take some wind out of Opt Out?
Yep, that seems to be the case, Jason.
And you should have seen the errors my daughter’s AP Calculus class found on this test.
Yes, Jason, that’s what the SAT deal is all about.
However, SAT has been reworked so it’s more in line with Common Core.
Interestingly, SAT takes less time for students to take than Smarter Balanced. Perhaps it should be renamed “Smarter Balanced Lite.”
The SAT also has more meaning for college bound students, so many colleges still put weight on it, at least for now.
This SAT/SBAC decision has more holes than a donut shop! While it looks great on the surface, there are some VERY SERIOUS flaws, not to mention laws on a state and federal level that will be broken if this is finalized the way it is right now.
https://exceptionaldelaware.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/secretary-godowsky-and-governor-markell-recklessly-whitewash-the-satsbac-debacle-while-violating-state-federal-law/
You are so right about the privitization of the schools. But, why does this Opt Out matter? If its not the SBA test it will be another. It’s a moving target. It also seems like a pretty narrow, yet organized, base of support. Honestly, it just sounds like this is a coalition of inner city teachers who don’t want to their performance evaluated based on the test scores of poor kids; parents of suburbia who don’t want to accept the idea that their little Billy and Susie who is in 20 AP classes may not be the rocket scientists they presented to family over the holidays; and Tea Party voters who hate everything in government that civil rights communities happen to support.
There has to be other things the legislature can do to move the ball forward on the issue of privitization of education beyond just promising that parents won’t be punished if they opt ou of one test; which I don’t think anyone has ever been punished. Can’t they vote to get rid of SBA? I feel like this is all a sham and even the good guys arent doing all they can. IMHO
I can’t speak for others, but my main concern has ALWAYS been the Smarter Balanced Assessment. No other test has EVER caused this many issues in Delaware. I don’t believe this is a moving target. This test is the method by which the privatization of education is able to implement what they want. I don’t see ANY legislators, aside from Senator Dave Lawson on the last day of the 147th General Assembly, introducing legislation to get rid of the equally damaging Common Core and the tests that go with it. This legislation is the corporate education reformers WORST enemy, and they are doing everything in their weakening power to make sure the veto override does NOT happen. But they have always underestimated parents who are taking back the conversation.
Realistically, all of these standardized tests, when expanded to the school or district level, are better measures of poverty than achievement. Until our policy makers recognize this clear correlation, education policy will continue to be misguided.
The SAT has never been an achievement test. It was created to predict success in the future, not specifics on what was learned in the past.
Furthermore, why would this be normed to a set of standards (common core) that are not accepted by all states, and seems to be scorned by most colleges.
John Kowalko
I dont understand. Either we do or we don’t want SBA in Junior year? How is getting rid of it a bad thing. Thought thats what we wanted. Kids would be taking the SAT regardless.. . am I missing something??
@Bane
First, the SBA test is really bad on its own. It’s poorly written and excessively long.
Second, I’m not anti-test. I am anti-bad test that comes with punishments but no help. The only thing this test accomplishes is labeling a school and teachers as failing.
Go look at the charts in this post. It’s quite obvious that poverty is directly linked to test scores, and yet we aren’t really addressing that clear data point. Telling high poverty schools to “do better or else” is not a plan for success – it’s a way to label them and begin the privatization process.
Third, I’ve never had a problem with national standards. Common Core has many flaws that should be corrected, but standards are fine with me. My niece, who is in 7th grade in Cambridge, MA, was complaining about how her language arts classes no longer include literature, instead they read STEM related papers. Some of this is fine with me, but our over emphasis on STEM (and we are a STEM family) is a problem.
Fourth, if your child is in “20 AP courses” they should have no trouble with this test. If they do then that points to a problem with the test.
Fifth, while the opt-out movement is narrowly focused it’s goal is not. It’s simply a starting point – a way every successful advancement has begun. Testing is out of control, and has been for quite a while. Opting out of the SBA is a way to slow things down because if enough people opt out the data can’t be used for labeling and punishment. Keep in mind, they have strong data showing that poverty impacts test scores, so if data matters then they should start by addressing and funding this data.
We all know that actually addressing poverty in education will cost money. WEIC has said as much. Think that’s gonna fly? It would if we were serious about improving children’s education, but we really aren’t. We aren’t interested in spending money on these kids. I wrote this in 2014 on the Priority Schools Plan:
“What’s infuriating is that we begin these discussions pretending we’ve actually tried to help these schools. We haven’t, and the State and Districts are both guilty of this. It isn’t as if the State and District are saying, “Hey, we tried smaller class sizes, putting more teachers in the schools, implemented equitable funding, added resources like wellness centers, school psychologists and put back programs such as TAG, Technology, Reading/Math specialists, Arts, etc. and these schools are still struggling so now we need to try something different.” They can’t say that because they never did that.”
A test with consequences but without support is useless. And that’s what we have with SBA. If we wanted this test to actually mean something then we would be doing something for the kids who are struggling. So, until these scores result in addressing the problems they show, count me out.
I can forward some “smarter balanced tests” as attachments by email if any of you are interested in posting on your site. My IT skills are those of the typically older male who still has trouble (occasionally) with the TV remote
John Kowalko
Second, I’m not anti-test. I am anti-bad test that comes with punishments but no help. The only thing this test accomplishes is labeling a school and teachers as failing.
I am also not anti-test. I am anti intentional misuse of testing results. Which is all our Governor and DOE know how to do. All.
Pandora… I respectfully question the statement “… while the opt-out movement is narrowly focused, it’s goal is not.” The folks who have been driving the Opt-Out Train have not shown any penchant or desire for long-term solution to the festishization of testing foisted upon schools by NCLB. Just my meager opinion, but they’ve engaged in a nearly scorched-earth approach, ignoring the fact that if opt-out is indeed the tip of the spear, then there will be quite a few other battles to be fought and it does not strengthen their long-term position by publicly denigrating people whose support they might need later on when one of the other battles comes front & center.
I support their position and think 50 should be overridden… It’s either a sign of personal weakness, ethical fraudulence, or purely self-servance to vote for HB50 and then not vote to override. It’s not like this Governor is anyone’s friend but his own, so screw perceived retaliation.
I will now sit back and wait for my “evisceration by blog commentary”
@Prop, I’m going to disagree with this: “The folks who have been driving the Opt-Out Train have not shown any penchant or desire for long-term solution to the festishization of testing foisted upon schools by NCLB. ”
Maybe it’s not as actively stated as it should be , but there is long term strategy. Get the state, districts, and feds to act on what these test data actually show. That poverty, English language proficiency, school climate, and home climate are all huge drivers of achievement in school. Teacher effectiveness is certainly a part of this too, but none of these assessments measure that. What we keep getting is new assessments that try to obscure the effects of the factors I wrote about above in the results so the powers that be can continue to ignore them.
I certainly hope so, Brian. It would be wonderful to see the public statements, commentary, etc. that Opt-Out has received be given in equal measure to addressing poverty’s crippling impact on student learning.
I agree that it’s not as actively stated as it should be. I think the reason for this is that this is a way to build a large coalition. Equitably funding high poverty schools isn’t an issue for all of this group. We’ve seen this at several WEIC meetings.
The SBA is a symptom of the real problem, and my hope is that the opt-out movement transitions into addressing the root cause – poverty. When they do that they will lose some of their support, so, perhaps, it’s best they deal with one thing at a time. What would be tragic is if they win this battle and then go away. I know many of those actively involved in the opt-out movement and know their goals align with mine. They are extremely passionate about education for all children. Hopefully they can keep this coalition together to tackle the bigger issues. Opt-out is step one.
When the fate of this ridiculous waste of time, resources, and attention is finally decided next Thursday- regardless of the outcome- every legislator that co-opted the discussion to revamp/reduce testing for this pointless spectacle of assembly-supported chaos should ask themselves the following: are the CHILDREN in this state in a better position today than they were when this meaningless battle began almost a year ago? Are kids still taking the same number of tests? Are the tests basically the same as they were at that time? Has anything changed that substantially impacts a MAJORITY of the kids enrolled in public schools in a positive manner? We all know the answers to these questions, and yet no one seems to appreciate the complete waste of time and effort that this bill demanded in order to pass, and not to mention the additional work likely needed in order to attempt to secure a successful veto override. As a parent of a student in public school, you’ve wasted an entire year and an indeterminate amount of political capital on an issue that hasn’t fundamentally helped my child or improved her day to day educational experience whatsoever. So enjoy your hollow victory now. I’m sure the kids appreciate you making this all about yourselves, and while not even attempting to suggest even one realistic tangible solution to even the lowest hanging fruit on education reform tree. PS: BRAVO on perfecting the art of misdirection. While you promoted the chaos and high drama of this soap opera that is the opt out “movement”, no one seemed to notice how these so called leaders never bother offering their own detailed plans or options, but they certainly don’t miss any chance to criticize all others. Can they start being part of the solution instead of further deluding the real issues at hand? Please?!?
Hnaf, I’m really not sure who you define as the opt-out movements “leaders”, but if you are referring to myself, I think I have offered several different solutions and ideas in my attempt to end the madness that is corporate education reform in Delaware. The problem is nobody listens. They don’t until you make a lot of noise. Until everyone makes a lot of noise. Until you speak loudly, and opt-out is very loud to those in power, they won’t hear you. I am very sorry nothing has changed for your child. But the door is open now. They do hear us, and opt-out is not the end solution to changing education. But it is a way into the conversation. Please join us when we speak for more change.
It’s difficult to take people seriously when they admit that this movement serves in part as a ploy to have those in power be forced to pay attention to them, but won’t (or more accurately can’t) point to what real good came from all this? Is SB still the statewide assessment? Are students forced to take other unnecessary and wasteful tests? Again, spending that kind of effort and sacrifice on what you’ve essentially admitted is the equivalent of a temper tantrum/cry for attention gives me zero confidence that you have been able to position yourself as a respected and reasonable stakeholder that deserves a seat at the table. Leaders of this movement get to preach from their soapboxes with minimal skin in the game because their children are grown and/or attend private schools not subject to taking the state wide assessment.
I’m not sure why you don’t think I’m being very serious about all of this. When I opted my son out it was because I knew this was a bad test, period. If you made the same choice, no matter what you decided, I would respect that choice. But for someone who assumes they know what they are talking about regarding the “leaders”, you sure don’t. First off, I’m not a “leader”. Others have called me that, but I am far from it. Second of all, don’t sit there and say I have no skin in the game. I have far more skin than you would ever understand.
Parents wouldn’t be opting their children out if they thought Smarter Balanced was a great test. Of course we want people to listen. Do you see any legislation on the table getting rid of Smarter Balanced? Cause I don’t. In fact, I see six year plans for “growth” on it, and students with disabilities expected to “grow” the most. So whatever choices you seem to think I’ve made, I don’t see (based on what you’ve written) you getting in the trenches on this issue at all. I firmly believe the environment created in our schools based on the Smarter Balanced Assessment is not healthy for my son at all. I think it leads to a lack of quality education and schools forced to perform well on a once a year test. As a result, things are missed and sacrificed for the test. If you feel this strongly about this, don’t tell me about it. Tell the leaders who made all these changes and then go to the lawmakers who can change it. But don’t blame the “leaders” of a movement where it is all about a parent’s individual choice. There are no leaders, just parents doing what they feel is best for their kids and watching their rights getting trampled on.
@Hnaf
I’m curious as to how you feel about your child’s education. You said, “As a parent of a student in public school, you’ve wasted an entire year and an indeterminate amount of political capital on an issue that hasn’t fundamentally helped my child or improved her day to day educational experience whatsoever.” What problems do you see?
You then make this statement:
“Leaders of this movement get to preach from their soapboxes with minimal skin in the game because their children are grown and/or attend private schools not subject to taking the state wide assessment.”
Every citizen has skin in this game, and I bet you agree with that when it comes to a referendum. Unless you are proposing only parents with children in public schools fund public schools – people without children, whose children have graduated and those whose children attend private school would be exempt from school taxes? I doubt this is what you’re proposing, but when you attempt to limit the voices of people (taxpayers) it comes across that way. And believe me, there are plenty of people without “skin in the game” who would be very happy letting public school parents bear the burden of funding public schools all by themselves. That is wrong. An educated society benefits everyone. Personally, I have attended countless school board meetings, served on various educational committees, was a PTA president and vocal voice advocating for help for our high poverty schools. My youngest graduated from a public high school last June. Does that mean I should no longer be allowed to speak?
I’m also not sure why you think solutions for education have not been offered. I, and others, have written extensively (for years) about ways to improve education. In the post above I included a paragraph of solutions to address education. If you want more, go to our search bar and type in the word education.
Do I think the Opt-out movement is the be all, end all solution. Nope. I think it’s a first step that will hopefully expand outward. I also think all of this is bigger than this test – a test designed to pave the way for privatizing our public schools, which hasn’t really been a secret. If you’re okay with the privatization of our public schools, fair enough, but that is the real issue behind ed reform.
To borrow an old cliché, Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’ve had decades of systematic dismantling of the education system in this state, and it’s not logical or practical to expect it to be completely transformed in one step. It’s going to take time, and it’s going to take multiple steps. If each step is considered a waste of political capital then you’re going to be very unhappy with the entire process of rebuilding education.
First let me say that the Governor and DPI’s approach to be high-handed, autocratic and suggests a level of political incompetence that has to considered world class. I agree with Pandora every citizen has skin in the game. My guess is that if you polled all those citizen taxpayers they would give public education in the 4 districts above the canal an F. The repeated failure of school referenda gives testimony to this. While I think a veto override is well deserved by the Governor, I would hope that no one would consider that a success. The tax paying citizens have a right to be assured that there is efficiency and improving performance. The opt out discussion has further eroded taxpayer confidence in the educational system. It’s time to put 20 people representing all sides in a room and no one leaves until there is consensus on a testing protocol. This should have been done a year ago—no ten years ago
Pandora… Brian Stephan…
Early on in this comment thread, I questioned whether there was any long-term strategy and Brian opined: @Prop, I’m going to disagree with this: “The folks who have been driving the Opt-Out Train have not shown any penchant or desire for long-term solution to the festishization of testing foisted upon schools by NCLB. ”
Maybe it’s not as actively stated as it should be , but there is long term strategy. Get the state, districts, and feds to act on what these test data actually show.”
Let’s be perfectly clear here… Kevin Ohlandt is the every bit the driving mouthpiece for the Opt-Out movement in this State. There are a host of other individuals involved, from all different walks, but Kevin’s face and voice is the one that is associated with your movement in print and, if your lucky, on radio or tv.
And then Mr. Ohlandt drops this whopper this morning on his own blog: DSEA Screws Over Their Own Members While Saying Fuck You to Parents On The Veto Override (http://bit.ly/1IYT9Ri).
Mr. Ohlandt spends three paragraphs saying the following to the leadership and staff at DSEA, citing his source as “someone [who] isn’t even a member of DSEA that they won’t support their override shows them to be the spineless”:
1. the organization is a Markell-caving traitorous snake
2. that the organization tried to hide the existence of Opt-Out penalty from members of a publicly-accessible group knows as AFWAG
3. condescendingly refers to DSEA president Frederika Jenner and DSEA Executive Director Jeff Taschner as “Queen Jenner and King Taschner”
4. Accuses the organization supporting a senate resolution ONLY because it might kill HB 50.
5. “so to DSEA I say this: FUCK YOU!”
6. says DSEA staff are “lying bastards”
7. says he “even heard from someone” that Frederika Jenner supported Race to the Top as president of her local association
8. makes a statement that impugns the professional integrity of a veteran prosecutor and DSEA employee and his spouse, a decorated, retired law enforcement official… Says “Taschner…big connections with Governor Markell. Didn’t Jack appoint someone you know on a board or something Jeff? Yeah, we know where your loyalty lies.”
9. “Delaware teachers: how much do you pay these clowns?”
10. ” I can tell you what they do for parents: jack shit! They are in it for themselves.”
11. Condescendingly and, I believe, misogynistically refers to DSEA’s Director of Government Relations, Kristin Dwyer, as DSEA’s “legislative princess”
12. Says that said “Legislative Princess” has a goal of jacking up any legislation that will help schools, teachers, and parents.
So, Brian, Pandora… I’m guessing you both consider yourselves, to whatever degree, a member of the Opt-Out movement…
Do you share Mr. Ohlandt’s position on DSEA that he has so eloquently laid out for us this morning?
If you wonder why it’s hard to feel any warmth or connection to your “movement”, it’s because your unofficial leader/spokesperson would put something like this out for public consumption, demonstrating (once again) a monstrous lack of discipline and ability to think with any sort of long-term plan.
Prop Joe, not sure how to respond to your breakdown of my article. If you seem to be so sure I was wrong about everything, let me know what you dispute and what you don’t think is true. Was I angry and pissed off? Yes I was. They were MY views, not the view of the entirety of the opt-out movement. Let’s get this straight: I am not the “leader” of the opt-out movement. Is it something I strongly believe in? Yes, and if you have been following my blog for the past year and a half you would know exactly why. But it seems to me like you are trying to paint a picture where the leader of the opt-out movement is speaking for everyone. I’m not. I don’t have the sort of influence where I can move people to decide things. Not in the big picture. The fact is, parents are making this decision on their own. That’s what the opposers of opt-out just can’t wrap their head around. I can tell you this though, many many people are not happy with DSEA this morning. Should I have tempered my article a bit? Sure, I won’t deny that. But even worse than fighting the DOE and Markell on these issues is finding out an organization you thought would fight for the cause is sitting on the fence and hanging parents out to dry, many of which belong to their organization. Their assembly passed a resolution supporting opt-out twice. Why would they now be quiet when it is needed the most?
I truly believe DSEA should have supported this, and many in their membership do as well. If anyone should feel ashamed of themselves, it is the DSEA leadership. And yes, DSEA was fully aware of what was going on with the AFWG, and it was not as transparent an organization as you seem to think. Which tells me you would be someone who knew what was going on and when. The general public certainly didn’t know until I published stuff in August. You are entitled to your opinions, as am I. Thank you.
Unsurprisingly, you missed the point… You are very much a key face of this movement and you seem to have no problem behaving in an wholly unprofessional manner.
You posted your “Veruca Salt”-esque diatribe because the organization is not doing what you want it to do, plain and simple. You tried to entreat them (goad, really) to be more vocal about supporting the override, but that apparently didn’t work, so you went for the scorched earth approach this morning. You aren’t getting your way, so you having a big-ass hissy fit.
What you can’t seem to grasp is that DSEA has a lot of legislative priorities, some of which supercede Opt-Out or an Opt-Out Override. Things like health care, para salary equalization, nurses in every school, access to certified librarians, etc… Those are priorities that any sane person would tell you are more important and will have a greater impact on their members, students, families. It’d be irresponsible for DSEA to go all-in on an override vote of Opt-Out, knowing that it would cost them irreparably in those other areas.
So, to compensate, they probably tell folks that they support a parent’s right to opt their child out of testing. Which is essentially the whole point. They do support parents and they do support that right. What’s got your underwear in a bunch is that you basically need their clout to get it done and can’t keep your shit together long enough to see the full landscape of education issues and not just your section of the Green. Realize that they are an organization of 13k members with a variety of goals and actions in play, juggling them all, trying to come up with the result that’s in the best interests of their members, the students they educate, and their families. Most times, if you’re focusing on more than one issue, you’ll have common cause. But every so often, you just might disagree.
But let’s not lose sight of something, here. DSEA supports the parental right to opt-out. What unleashed your diatribe of “FUCK YOU’s”, “Legislative Princess”, and “Queen and King” was the fact that they didn’t go all-in on overriding the veto.
You snapped your fingers and they didn’t come running and this is your reaction.
Like it or not, true or not, most folks see and hear you the most and, consequently, attach you as the leader of the group. Being a leader often doesn’t afford you the freedom to say whatever you want, whenever you want, without regard for how what is said reflects on the other people around you. So you’re not the leader in that regard. However, you’re the most public face of a group of people fighting to maintain this parental right and if all of those individuals share your “FUCK YOU ALL” attitude towards DSEA, then I’ve just written a ton of shit for nothing. If they don’t share your “salt the Earth” reaction to a less than hearty Override action, you basically risk damage to the overall success of your movement, both with this goal and beyond, by the lack of discipline and descent into immature namecalling and character impugnation.
I’m not sure I even want to wade into this. I hadn’t seen Kevin’s post. (I’m not over at his place a lot. My bad? My good?) I have met Kevin once, over a year ago, and admire his commitment. Does he cross the line? Sometimes, but I’ve lived in that very same glass house.
That said, I have been on the front line of education for a long time. I speak for myself. I have been clear in my views on the SBA and its end goal. I quote Mike Matthews’ column because, out of everyone, I feel he has the firmest grasp and understanding of the issues. Mike’s come a long way from his blogging days! I loved Down With Absolutes, but boy, could some of those posts raise eyebrows!
I have my own perspective on education issues – and it was only a few weeks ago that DL was called out in the comments for not covering the Opt-Out bill enough. I think it’s this sort of thing that concerns Prop Joe.
Somebody says the F word and everybody starts clutching their pearls.
@Prop, I consider myself a Dad of two kids in public school in Delaware, one of whom had the fun of learning tested right out of him before he hit middle school. And I’m trying to avoid that scenario with my younger son. My wife and I opt Braeden out because even without SBA, he’s tested more than either of us ever were. Finn will be opted out when he hits Grade 3.
I see the frustration shared amongst teachers, administrators, and students with regards to endless testing, data mining, testing, data mining. I opt to minimize the role my children play in increasing that frustration. If I can lend my voice to a group of people seeking to do the same thing I will, and not by taking anyone else’s words for my own. Kevin is a devoted, and passionate driver for the opt-out movement (among many other things education related) but that doesn’t mean we’re passengers. Some of us are driving our own routes to the same destinations.
I am not singly focused on opt-out (nor is Kevin). There are many moving pieces that need to be addressed over time. Opt-out is but one.
Thank you, Brian.
Was it a hissy fit of epic proportions Prop Joe? Probably. I own that. Not the entirety of the opt-out movement in Delaware but my own. I did change some parts of the article that you addressed. Not because of what you said, and not because of DSEA. I changed it because I recognize I went beyond even what I post in my own blog. I’m not going to offer up any excuses, cause it won’t change what I did.
To be completely honest with you, I wish the legislators would get this over with. There are many things I want to tackle. I was really hoping this would have ended with the Governor’s signature on the bill. Had he respected the will of the General Assembly, none of this conversation would have happened.
My feelings on DSEA are complicated, but I truly feel they jump into some things way too quickly, such as the assessment inventory and the recent Every Student Succeeds Act. Now DSEA is taking part in a national NEA group to basically figure out what the heck the legislation is. Why endorse something you don’t understand? I saw their legislative liason officially endorse the assessment inventory based on what will most likely be a false statement by the Governor’s Education Policy Advisor, that the Smarter Balanced Assessment would be put on the table. I’ve seen the email from the DOE fully stating Senate Joint Resolution #2 was created as a way of countering House Bill 50. DSEA was fully aware of this information and they STILL endorsed assessment inventory while giving what many viewed as lackluster support for HB50.
As for the Accountability Framework Working Group, all the minutes were posted on my blog, including who was in attendance. Now I’ve met that DSEA rep, and I think she is a great person. However, leadership never informed their locals about the opt-out penalties discussed. Why would they NOT do that? Why wait until I blogged about it over six months later to say they don’t support it? It is that exact kind of behavior I find appalling for an organization that represents 13,000 teachers in Delaware. Their power structure in Dover should not hold back information from their membership. That membership gives them the ability to be transparent to those who give them that power, not hold things back.
In your original lashing of me today, you went into far more detail about what I wrote, so I am not sure why you would bring that up in a public forum while slamming me for doing so. It just seems a bit odd…
I think Brian summed it up best. While they agree with opt-out, it doesn’t mean everyone is passengers on the Kevin train. Opt-out is the key thing going on right now in education, whether you like it or not Prop Joe. While it may not seem like a legislative priority to you, it certainly is to the many parents in this state who do view it as one. I truly believe the results of not overriding the veto will be far worse for our schools, parents, students, teachers, and the community’s perception of public education in Delaware. I agree with you about all of the things you mentioned that are needed in our schools. I will add bullying prevention, true understanding and training for all disabilities and how to adequately deal with these students, transparency, funding, and more. I think the greatest tragedy in this era of high-stakes testing is what is going on with Kindergartners. This is not a good path we are on. Education is a beast to tackle, and there is no way on this earth you can tackle everything at once. But given the reaction of A LOT of teachers in this state to my article, it isn’t one of disdain at what I wrote, but wondering what in the world is going on with their leadership.
I don’t know the first thing about you Prop Joe, and it really doesn’t matter. But please understand, I do feel bad about HOW I said what I said, but not the fact that I brought it to light. And once again, even though I write about it the most, and have been on the radio, and TV once (I think, it’s been a long day at work), I don’t consider myself “the leader”. I think some personalities on this very blog have done the same on issues. Does that make them “the leader”? No, it makes them someone with a viewpoint. Please understand the difference between the two.
At the end of the day, I just want what I, and many others believe is the right thing for our students. We don’t believe Smarter Balanced is the right thing. And when every decision in education revolves around that axis, how to make students succeed based on that measurement, it is very dangerous ground to walk on.
For your information Prop Joe, I don’t feel the opt-out movement needs DSEA to “get the job done”. Sure, they have influence on legislators, and their support would have been nice. But this is a students and parents bill. Not a teachers bill (unless they also happen to be parents). I think the mistaken belief that opt-out was created by teachers is a bit naïve considering the most vocal of those in this very bizarre year are mostly parents (aside from Mike Matthews). I’m not saying you created that notion Prop Joe, but I know there are some out there that believe that. I was shocked at DSEA’s response of “tell others we don’t support it and eventually it will filter back to the guy who sent personal messages to the President twice and wrote a damn article about it”. Please make sure all your facts are straight before you play the role of judging me.
In rereading the vitriol spewed by Mr. Ohlandt on this thread (and all over his page for that matter) calling people names, accusing them of unethical and legally questionable conduct, publicly maligning their character, all in the name of trashing those who do not share his opinions on an issue…. Wow, Delaware congrats, we’ve got a home grown Donald Trump on our hands. Sure he might not align politically with Trump, but his unnecessary personal attacks and hateful rhetoric surely have a Trump-like quality to them. I’m all for having a spirited debate, but Mr. Ohlandt does himself and his cause a disservice behaving this way.