#NJEAchat Archive
NJEA represents 200,000 teachers, education support professionals, higher education, retired and student members.
Monday April 4, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Okaikor, language arts teacher here! Hey!!!
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. is the former Delran EA Pres. He will share w/ us his successes around organizing. I look forward to hearing from u
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Thanks, . Glad to be spending some time with our awesome members!
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Q1: Name? Local Association? Position?
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Jay, Social Studies / Politics from Central Jersey. Good evening everyone!
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Dan Epstein, Franklin Township EA, 2nd VP of the Somerset County EA
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Mel, NJSEA, junior of 5 yr Masters in Urban Education at TCNJ. Excited for this chat.
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Across NJ many districts started testing today. This leads to our next question...
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Q2: Prior to the start of testing, what is the environment like in your school?
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The environment is stressful on teachers and kids.
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A2: Stressful for staff, students, and administrators. Chaotic. Unnecessarily so. Anyone else?
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I imagine even more so in your computer classes https://t.co/GbFMecwtqk
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The environment is stressful on teachers and kids.
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A2: Environment is chaotic, lots of people unsure of what will happen. Also a very threat-filled environment from higher-ups.
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Pennsauken EA Prez and High School Special Education Teacher.
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A2: Last year was the fear of the unknown. Prep in my building this year reminded me of NJ ASK days.
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A2: Combination of nervous and apathetic. Some are freaking out, some treat testing as an interruption to what really matters
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A2: Prep in year one was too much. I can only imagine it has gotten worse after last year's "results"
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doesn't sound exactly conducive for learning
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I am lucky, I have nothing to do with testing because I have desktops and not chromebooks. I do project based learning.
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A2: stressful doesn't even describe, and PARCC-prep (from Feb-May) is in full force.
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A2: Admins trying to convince students to take the test, going classroom by classroom; "corrective action plans" for compliance
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We'll talk about that later :-) https://t.co/9UhhFpAahg
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I am lucky, I have nothing to do with testing because I have desktops and not chromebooks. I do project based learning.
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Pennsauken in the house! π
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Nervous and apathetic? That's not what makes our schools great
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. Time could be better spent for sure.
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because I couldn't fit it all in one tweet.
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I had a convo with a comp teacher last week -- all comps locked up since Feb for the test!
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Even seeing incentives for the class with highest # of testers. https://t.co/tjVSFwQmwS
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A2: Admins trying to convince students to take the test, going classroom by classroom; "corrective action plans" for compliance
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Almost half the year for test prep. Not the best use of educational time. https://t.co/TJK1ZQGvyN
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A2: stressful doesn't even describe, and PARCC-prep (from Feb-May) is in full force.
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Last year, even when my members helped to lead the call for refusal in NJ, we had just as many feeling they HAD to prep.
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Feb - March = entirely too long.
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A2: Library shut down for three weeks. How is that in the best interest of our students? No rationale for this move.
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A2 growth through compliance? Then divide by zero
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Now that's crazy!! https://t.co/K7sdY8BirJ
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Even seeing incentives for the class with highest # of testers. https://t.co/tjVSFwQmwS
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A2: Admins trying to convince students to take the test, going classroom by classroom; "corrective action plans" for compliance
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Compliance has been the goal of "school" since inception. But, we're really taking it to a new level
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Oh yes...pizza parties for those who took last year's test to "entice" this year's students...
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A2: Highly frustrating, internet access is pretty non existent
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smh. This is sad, frustrating, and the reason this topic is so important.
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Wow.... https://t.co/hEKbgXhpEe
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Oh yes...pizza parties for those who took last year's test to "entice" this year's students...
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https://t.co/1DdqC61UAj
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. A2: School district "invited" Dana Egretsky to spew her venom from the Chamber of Commerce to parents and kids.
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A2: I am shut out of my field placement classroom because of testing. Time lost of learning how to be a teacher.
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Our pre-service teachers are hurt just as much as our own students. https://t.co/sk3DLAmPfk
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A2: I am shut out of my field placement classroom because of testing. Time lost of learning how to be a teacher.
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Hurts to hear about the environment across the state.
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Q3: In a perfect world, what alternative forms of assessment would be used in place of standardized tests?
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A2:Not prepping kids AT ALL....how should I get them from 3rd grade level to hs level reading?
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. Then how are you going to learn to do a teacher's most important job? (Giving the PARCC, of course)
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"Don't we want to show District B how much better we are in District A?" and my favorite "Prove how great your teachers are!"
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A3: Teacher created assessments. My students excel with project based learning.
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Q3 might be the most important question you ask tonight, . Determining what assessment looks like in each district.
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A3: Grading projects teaches me more about my students and their needs than a piece of paper with test results.
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A3:Project based portfolios...it's a start.
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A3: Portfolio based assessments would cost far less money, are much more effective, require no advanced prep, and no stress
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A3: Ss & Ts autonomy, student-driven. Ask Ss how they should be assessed, & let them define parameters in democratic setting.
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A3: Don't we assess students constantly? I think a portfolio based assessment is really the essence of teaching and learning.
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local control seems to be critical. Educators designing assessments for their students in their schools
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the answers are in the room!
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. A3: Portfolios, project or problem based learning. These incorporate tech and cross content with other counties too.
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A3: How should our students demonstrate competency or mastery? Let them tell us - first of all. (Like said)
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A3: allowing students the choice to choose what they feel they will have most success with
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We need to meet the needs of our students, this can't be done on national or state level. https://t.co/HDjZgAZfHd
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you are correct on this....each district should look different.
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A3 seems pretty unanimous...Gotta be portfolio/project based learning!
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A3: But determining what is right is such an important LOCAL decision. How much testing and what kind is appropriate for us?
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and it takes place throughout the year; not once every March
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Students designing assessments for their schools.
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The best assessment is a conversation founded upon a strong, supportive relationship. It makes feedback easy to receive too
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A3: Projects that reflect authentic inquiry & learning; student-developed portfolios that allow flexibility in meeting standards.
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that's what differentiation is all about.
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participatory leadership, yes?
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A3: Some students might prefer testing in their portfolios. That's great. Others might want a collection of their best essays.
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Why do we differentiation our instruction, but standardize our tests? https://t.co/ja4tBaeoP9
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that's what differentiation is all about.
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I had a grade level mtg to discuss why we didn't test well in a certain area...because we covered it in October!
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Such a great chat so far, educators are on the same page when it comes to knowing what is best for our students!
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A3: Heaven forbid ask our students to build or draw or compose or discuss their level of mastery.
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A3: the whole system is so consumed with telling students what they can't do often forget to praise for what they CAN DO
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Also need to convince colleagues of the bottom-up approach to assessment.
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Q4: Thinking about your local or county associationβs organizing efforts around testing, do you have any success stories to share?Β
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That is the million dollar question .
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I know has answers for Q4!
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including the students in academic decision making. Talk about "higher order thinking."
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https://t.co/sr4zB52Wx0
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Such a great chat so far, educators are on the same page when it comes to knowing what is best for our students!
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A4: Somerset County EA holds PTO Forums to educate PTO leaders. We give them the information that admin withholds from them!
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A4: More parental engagement in conversations around testing has been a success across the state.
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A4: A shout out first to friends in Montclair, South Brunswick, , for the successes we had in Delran.
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Next step: move from "we don't like PARCC" to "here's what assessment can and should look like."
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A4: Last year & held movie showings of "Standardized" to much success
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A4: Honestly, it all started as conversations in the faculty room about what was going wrong in education.
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. . . Humans aren't standard. They learn many different ways. We work with kids, not robots.
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It always starts there - rear to see it come to fruition though. Interested to learn https://t.co/LX2AOC0vJa
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A4: Honestly, it all started as conversations in the faculty room about what was going wrong in education.
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A4: obviously if districts are giving pizza parties we should do pizza and ice cream
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Local autonomy sounds great, how much pushback will there be from groups and individuals profiting from standardized tests
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Ice cream with sprinkles! https://t.co/WMYt7U9rEi
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A4: obviously if districts are giving pizza parties we should do pizza and ice cream
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A4: Members were engaged in those discussions like nothing I had seen before. We realized we had to take a stand on testing
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and moved from there to you reaching out to with -- what can we do, together?
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The power of conversation!
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A4: That's how Standardized and Take the PARCC were born. From members concerned as teachers and as parents.
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A lot - but if educators, parents, and students stick together, we'd be stronger. https://t.co/IJqcsuJ0B8
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Local autonomy sounds great, how much pushback will there be from groups and individuals profiting from standardized tests
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A4: But it only grew into what it was because of the support of all those groups - starting with parent groups.
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got a good idea? Make plans to do it and reach out to your union for support.
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A4: Props to our parent leaders and citizens in So. Bruns. and Middlesex Co. working with & our Research and Advocacy Com.
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READ committee in did a lot of ground work leading up to testing last year. https://t.co/hCp20LDTXu
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A4: Props to our parent leaders and citizens in So. Bruns. and Middlesex Co. working with & our Research and Advocacy Com.
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A4: When I brought the ideas to doors kept opening for me and my local. Shout out to ReAd, too
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A4: This year I attended two panel discussions on parent rights.
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A4: It's been the combined strength of our parents and our parent-educators who have kept up this important fight.
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. . A3: Kids can have an eclectic portfolio due to the best way they learn. Multiple Intelligences
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over-testing impacts parents/communities as much - if not more - than educators in the classrooms
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Right back atcha. We love stealing some of your stuff! Groundbreaking work with your BOE...inspirational.
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However, you have to know your audience....some districts have tons of apathetic parents who have been shut down for years.
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Will there be any "take the PARCC" events coming up?
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The decided, essentially, enough is enough. We had to find a way to take back control of our classrooms.
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We all have our successes to share, but moving forward . . .
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Q5: What resources does the community need to organize around testing? Your association?
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it feels like a lot of schools have given up this year pushing back against parcc.
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an opportunity to "listen people into existence"? π€π
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A5: Moving forward, need to shift the conversation to research-based dialogue around HSST, not just PARCC.
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I have a theory on that, , that can't be done in just 140 clips.
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WHEN we defeat PARCC, there will be something else to follow... https://t.co/ssMsH8i0m8
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A5: Moving forward, need to shift the conversation to research-based dialogue around HSST, not just PARCC.
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this is an important question. How do we work with apathy? How do we inspire action?
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. Last year I helped 749 kids refuse the test.
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A5: More time for local discussion on role of testing within student assessment, first of all.
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A5: Knowledge on portfolio & project based assessment. Everyone must be educated on solutions if we want to implement them.
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be sure to check out for events in your area. They aren't "take the PARCC" events, still valuable
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More training for teachers on alternative assessments. More flexibility and support by administrators about testing/assessing
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A5:Information! Ddistricts aren't telling parents much of anything. Parents are dying to learn more about PARCC, good bad or other
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The release of the test scores should get the conversation going and could bring about the community support
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A5: Continued partnership between Ps, Ts, & Ss (who are so often forgotten). We must see one issue as everyone's issue.
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. . If we want a real revolution to end this, we must run ads in the major newspapers like NY did, set up tables at malls!
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Can't wait until classes end in May& I graduate so that I'm not in class when and are happening! Feel like I'm
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We agree. We can't forget the students on this issue. Their voice matters. https://t.co/uoFXkJNrFZ
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A5: Continued partnership between Ps, Ts, & Ss (who are so often forgotten). We must see one issue as everyone's issue.
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Imagine the power if parents did this - talked to other parents about it? https://t.co/0hg7hSGGbm
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. . If we want a real revolution to end this, we must run ads in the major newspapers like NY did, set up tables at malls!
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A5: I think our community members must be educated on alternative assessments also so all can see value
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We need to help poorer and urban districts organize around this. More opt-outs in wealthier areas with more parent involvement
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spot on! As a parent I want real objective research, not Corp funded propaganda
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We are supposed to be innovative as educators, but not when it comes to testing/assessment. Same old scantrons.
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we have ideas....flash mobs at malls with tshirts saying, "ask me about PARCC."
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we can't wait to have you!
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I love Q6 . .coming in a minute.
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Exactly, . Corp-funded nonsense. Same old test and punish delivered the SAME exact results. (Profits for Pear$son)
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need to make it less about dollars and more about sense.
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Read anything to see same old results. Doesn't matter what test, really.
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. We could go to the major malls and set up tables. Talk to parents there. Have brochures and letters to take home. π
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when I was little, my dad worked for the co that built and maintained Scantron machines. Yes -- really!
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A5: Forums! Ss are interested in helping to better the experience for the Ss who will sit in the seats long after they are gone.
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Sounds like a plan to me. Which mall? When? Let's do it! https://t.co/dbSstH6tzN
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. We could go to the major malls and set up tables. Talk to parents there. Have brochures and letters to take home. π
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WHAT? we can't be friends.
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Q6: What could we dare to begin now, that todayβs kindergarteners will thank us for when they are seniors?
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What about Slide Shows, Research posters, Poetry Slams,Science Fairs, Plays, so many many projects.
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A5: Communities need to hear a stronger message from the professionals; namely and their local teachers.
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So many parents are saying their kids took it and they are just fine. point
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ππππ. The co was National Computer Systems. They went out of business in 1987. Predictor for ? Lol!
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A6: Awesome question. Community schools in which Ps, Ss, Ts, As, all determine what learning looks like together
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that's deep; love it! π
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schools are terrified of student voice. Engaging former + current students is key in organizing.
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A6: Starting point . . . return power to the teachers? We know our students the best.
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and so many parents know it isn't good for their child about 100,000. did u watch kids cry, I did.
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A6: Finding and developing political candidates with enough spine to stand up to Pearson!
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A6: Schools in which every comm membr is invested in success from day 1 because they r asked to define what success looks like
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Conversation, yes, but teachers are told NOT to talk about it
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A6 Honest assessment of their abilities as students not percentile score of a focus group. Teach them individuality and innovation
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We might get a thank you card for that one! https://t.co/knuemtqlLD
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A6: Finding and developing political candidates with enough spine to stand up to Pearson!
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A6: We can dare to build a system that is for learning, and not for shortsighted economic gains.
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A6: Letting students define their own education. That is the best thing we can do for them.
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hahaha! Actually he's J Boice III.
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You're lucky to get a field placement.Many can't because of testing
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Powerful stuff. Now, let's do it! https://t.co/O3yWz1jXOF
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A6 Honest assessment of their abilities as students not percentile score of a focus group. Teach them individuality and innovation
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A6: Return the love of learning to our classrooms.
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A6: We need to fight for equitable funding and human-centered learning assessments. https://t.co/ENJdnlBh4Z
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Q6: What could we dare to begin now, that todayβs kindergarteners will thank us for when they are seniors?
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same results as any other test, no benefit for the kids, more money to implement!
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And we need to get parents invested in this idea, too https://t.co/D2Xe2srEbF
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A6: We can dare to build a system that is for learning, and not for shortsighted economic gains.
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True. how'd that coffee klatch go? Feel any different talking to parents at that diner?
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Unfortunately, not every teacher can advocate in his/her own school in the way that we'd like them to be able to for many reasons
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I have struggled with my placements for 3 semesters. 1st out of state, 2nd in charter b/c of testing/evals
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We are the experts and we should guide them towards their own education, preventing tests from doing so https://t.co/L5Ltft8sTo
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A6: Letting students define their own education. That is the best thing we can do for them.
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No doubt that equity in funding is a truly critical issue,
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Sad for our early career members. I imagine it may only get worse. https://t.co/DP3ToAbVj9
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I have struggled with my placements for 3 semesters. 1st out of state, 2nd in charter b/c of testing/evals
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good to hear it! Keep going!
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https://t.co/VwcUvcu1vd
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Parents r also saying that since kids spent so much time "teaching to the test" they should take it
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informing parents/communities about inequities in funding is crucial (note: fair does not mean equal)
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Dare to bring the ed. revolution that will transform unions, Ss, and Ts from an industrial model to one of self realization.
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Time "teaching to the test" wouldn't be necessary with other forms of teacher created assessment. https://t.co/0DgBsHC6bO
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https://t.co/VwcUvcu1vd
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Parents r also saying that since kids spent so much time "teaching to the test" they should take it
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Exactly! The impact is far-reaching and will have residual effects if we do not address collectively.
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Time to destroy the industrial model,
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I could spend all night chatting with you - amazing so far. What can we do to learn more after tonight . .
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Q7: What resources do you use to learn about and organize around the overemphasis of standardized testing?
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time to walk out to the bottom loop!
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It's not easy...I know. It should not be that hard.
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....you gotta be an INNOVATOR!!!!
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We should dare to consider a complete transformation of our schooling system. No. More. Desks. In. Rows.
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Precisely!!! https://t.co/wKAsQjRWhv
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informing parents/communities about inequities in funding is crucial (note: fair does not mean equal)
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https://t.co/Hlotear9Nc
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. . . I think there is a true lack of understanding about the final goal of this is: the end of public ed
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The events these two hold keep me (and community members) informed and up to date. Attend one!
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A7: Then anything written by Diane Ravitch, Chris Tienken, Jersey Jazzman, Ani McHugh
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. . . ALEC, Gates, Walmart, Eli Broad, Mark Zuckerberg and Pearson are destroying us.
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What happens if I press the heart button a dozen times? https://t.co/Kp0V8i0Hhh
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We should dare to consider a complete transformation of our schooling system. No. More. Desks. In. Rows.
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A7: I think we have to know the enemies of education, too. So follow the DOEs broadcasts. Follow NJSBA, PTA, Pear$son, etc
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All great writers. Informative for sure! https://t.co/jCciejtPaL
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A7: Then anything written by Diane Ravitch, Chris Tienken, Jersey Jazzman, Ani McHugh
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great point! We can know it, but shouldn't act like it. Let Ps and Ss figure it out for themselves.
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A7: is doin' that thang! And in NJ has it on lock!! https://t.co/sTokbuz3b2
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Q7: What resources do you use to learn about and organize around the overemphasis of standardized testing?
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try it and let us know. π
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Dare to redefine what it will mean to be an educated citizen in 2026 and do so with the power of a profession. OUR. PROFESSION.
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A7: I have incredible former Ts who have been incredible mentors. That is a resource all pre-service Ts deserve. It provides hope.
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Thanks for the work you started and are still doing
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A7: I think I found a few new resources tonight. All of you!!
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Gotta give a shout out to on Q7, . ππππ
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Truly, , it was a group of like-minded educators. I just happened to be the one able to help make it happen.
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We did that too. Each month a different type of setting. Kept everyone on their toes.
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https://t.co/TNvfc0PvrG From ASCD on Saturday
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Giving everyone a shoe is equality. Making sure the shoes fit is equity -
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Not enough time for this conversation but ... Q8: What are your takeaways from tonightβs conversation?
