Fail WASL = Fail Life??

Readers may know already that I have a violent and sometimes painful reaction to stupid things, people, rules, etc...

With that in mind, and Election Day looming just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to influence whomever may still be questioning their choice for Superintendent of Schools. This office is publicly elected, and currently held by Terry Bergerson.

While I'm sure Ms. Bergerson is a fairly nice and considerate citizen, her beliefs in teaching methods are absolutely baffling to me. She is one of the main supporters of the implementation of the WASL test for our public schools - as a method of measuring children's learning.

Students in grades 3-8 and 10 take the WASL each spring in reading and math. Students also are tested in writing in grades 4, 7 and 10, and science in grades 5, 8 and 10.

For anyone who has suffered through the WASL, or the SAT or LSAT even, will know that no 4th grader should be subjected to three days of testing to deterimine your ultimate level of success when it comes to education. Teachers MUST teach to the test, students must take the test, students must pass the test or get held back, the cycle goes on...

http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/default.aspx

While I'm sure the original intentions were good, standardized testing is an archaic method of measuring one's intelligence. We're smarter than that now, and we need a Superintendent who has actually worked in the field and has experienced the shortcomings first hand.

That said, I support Randy Dorn for Superintendent of Schools in the 2008 Washington State Election. He's a former teacher and principal, has served seven years in the State House of Representatives, and has worked on different education committees and boards throughout his career.

I KNOW this position is often overlooked by voters - just a little bit of research goes a long way - and having family that works within the school districts really gives a different perspective on what this position requires.

My mom has worked in the Issaquah School District for over 25 years and has seen the destructive results of standardized testing. Please appoint Randy Dorn as Superintendent, so we can work toward fair education standards, and children may fail, but maybe that is what it will take in order to get the best possible education.

I don't have kids, nor do I plan on having kids, but I think this is an important issue for anyone who has or will have kids entering public schools within the next 5-7 years. This election could really change the landscape, and Washington could become an Educational Pioneer!