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I shall post videos, graphs, news stories, and other material there. We shall use some of this material in class, and you may review the rest at your convenience. You will all receive invitations to post to the blog. (Please let me know if you do not get such an invitation.) I encourage you to use the blog in these ways:
To post questions or comments about the readings before we discuss them in class;
To follow up on class discussions with additional comments or questions.
To post relevant news items or videos.

There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges.


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Monday, March 21, 2011

Opting Out of Standardized Testing


Nine parents at a Pennsylvania elementary school decided their children should not take the standardized tests this spring, legally required by No Child Left Behind. They argue that the tests create detrimental anxiety for the students and teachers, negatively affecting the learning environment. They also criticize the system for forcing teachers to teach to the test, reducing the quality of instruction. President Obama admits that the tests need updating, but he still affirms that they are necessary to measure progress and compete with other nations. Parents are organizing boycott groups on Facebook to spread the word, and some parents have followed suit in states like Colorado. It will be interesting to see whether or not this trend gains any substantial momentum over the next few years.

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