January 23, 2013

Teacher Revolt

Two New Schools Throw Away the MAP

Joe Mabel

GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

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On Monday, January 21—also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day—teachers at Seattle's Garfield High School announced that two new schools have joined their boycott of Measure of Academic Progress exams on the grounds that the tests are a poor gauge of student progress and are unfairly used to evaluate teachers. Columbia City's Orca K–8 and most of Ballard's Salmon Bay K–8 teachers voted to join the boycott. Meanwhile, Franklin, Ballard, and West Seattle High Schools, as well as the American Federation of Teachers and the Seattle Education Association, have voted to support the boycott by urging Seattle school superintendent Jose Banda to stop administering the tests district-wide. Banda has not yet returned teacher requests for a meeting.

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This is a great ethical, practical, pro-student, courageous act of leadership and dedication on the part of the Garfield teachers. Because it is a great assertion of the human values fundamental to education, it will sweep the nation, as it already is. Many, many people understand its justness. Hang on, too, because the powers that be will come down hard on this movement; hang on, we will outlast them.

Posted by mary cogan on January 29, 2013 at 10:08 PM · Report

Well said Mary Cogan. Yes, this is a courageous act by teachers trying to defend education. The power that be and every right wing teacher hater will come out of the woodwork to try and derail this pro-student movement. But all of us who do understand the role of education and teachin will stand right next to you through it all. Be strong!

Posted by MaxS on March 3, 2013 at 9:49 PM · Report