GEM Meets September 28: High-Stakes Testing and The Attack on Public Education

Join GEMers in this rousing discussion at the first general meeting of the new school year

High-Stakes Testing and The Attack on Public Education

• In NYC, test scores have made the headlines once again.  Last year, test scores were bandied about by Michael Bloomberg as evidence of his effective "stewardship" over NYC schools.  This summer, ELA and Math test scores dropped precipitously due to re-scaling of the tests, causing widespread parent outrage.

• In NYC and across the country, new systems of teacher evaluation are based more and more on student scores on a single high-stakes test.  Dozens of schools are closed on the basis of low test scores leaving these communities without neighborhood schools and displacing experienced teachers, thereby adding to the ATR pool. Teachers, students and parents are now being told to judge the basis of a quality education on these dubious test scores.

• What do the changes in test scores mean for NYC teachers and students?
• How is high-stakes testing being used to dismantle and undermine the public education system?
• What is the effect of incessant testing on our educational system?
• What can we do about it?

Bring your experiences and ideas to a discussion with the Grassroots Education Movement (GEM).  Join with others in attempting to counter the effects of high-stakes testing mania.

September 28 4:30 - 7 p.m.
CUNY Graduate Center
34th and 5th Ave. Room 5409
(Bring ID)
Trains:  N, R, D, F, Q, B, W, V, 6, 1/2/3