Testing testing

I'm not against accountability in schools, and I'm not against testing per se, but this year has seen changes in curriculum and a huge increase in the amount of testing in New York's public [state] schools  - much too much and too soon - which I believe have been detrimental to both students and teachers alike.  So I was glad of the opportunity to join a rally today against high-stakes standardized testing organised by the teachers' union NYSUT outside the State Capitol in Albany.

I was pleased to see many of my own kids' teachers there.  Disappointed not to see many parents - I for one feel disenfranchised as a parent about what's going on in education, and I wanted to stand up and be counted on this issue.

I doubt if a rally will be enough to cause a rethink at legislative level.  I don't know what the teachers' next steps will be.  In the meantime I hope that none of the excellent teachers my children have been lucky enough to study under will lose heart about their chosen profession.