Always read the Letters to the Editor where often shards of light appear, cris de coeur from smart people who are feel unheard and patronized. This of course is the major malady in the Catholic church today—but that’s another story.
Today’s letter from the Heslers of Penatang, Ontario shines a light on the corporate assault on education. Read on.
Won’t let kids take EQAO
FRI May 31 2013
We are in the unfortunate position this year of having two children due to sit the EQAO tests. Due to the flawed way in which this test is put together, administered and the data used, we are unwilling to put our children through the ordeal.
The principal of our school has told us that they will be forced to write the test, unless we keep them home for two weeks surrounding the testing period. Really? Forced? Against our will?
I wonder if the public in this province knows that this testing costs our education system millions of dollars (last figure I heard was $52 million)? And most of that money goes out of Canada, as the tests are printed in the U.S. I thought we didn’t have enough money to pay our teachers properly?
Does the public realize the amount of cheating that goes on prior to the test (called “preparation”) and during the test (e.g. in the form of reading the test to them — a reading test is read to those students who can’t read)? I think this invalidates the data somewhat. In schools, months before the testing, special education support is withdrawn from kids who need it and reassigned to help push kids through EQAO.
Why aren’t we standing up to this? What benefit does it have for our children? This testing needs to stop. The system is using our children as political pawns in a game for which the only benefit is bragging rights?
Jacqui and Steve Hesler, Penetanguishene