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Home > About CES > Testing Statement > About Action Kit
Proclamation for "Better Testing Day"
WHEREAS, that on [date] [town, city or state] will observe Better Testing Day, the [city or state] of ____________, ] its [governor, legislature, mayor and/or council] acknowledge that students, schools and teachers should be held accountable for their performance as assessed by high standards, but high-stakes standardized tests -- tests that prohibit a student from graduating or advancing to the next grade -- do not adequately reflect students' true proficiencies; and
WHEREAS high-stakes standardized tests don't measure how well students have mastered the curriculum of their particular school and assume that all students at all schools have studied the same curricula and can demonstrate the same sort of knowledge on a narrow assessment; and
WHEREAS, an emphasis on such tests diverts scarce funds and energy away from the high quality teaching and resources that promote active engagement and critical thinking and toward test preparation materials and "practice" activities; and
WHEREAS, high-stakes standardized tests can punish students for conditions they cannot control, such as run-down school building conditions, under-skilled teachers, large class sizes, and inadequate facilities; and
WHEREAS, no two students are alike, no two schools are alike, and no two demonstrations of mastery that determine that students are ready to advance educationally ought to be alike; and
WHEREAS, an effective and equitable high-stakes test should include multiple-measure and performance-based assessments as more challenging and accurate demonstrations of student achievement,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ____________, [office] of the [state, city, or town] of________, do hereby proclaim [day], [date], as: "BETTER TESTING DAY" in the [state, city, or town] of ______________and salute the administration, teachers, and students of our schools the and honor their continuing efforts and accomplishments on this day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of ______________ to be affixed this _______day of_____________, 2004
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[Official]
How do I use it? Copy and paste the above template into a new, blank word processing document. Modify the template to represent you and your local school(s) with any relevant information or issues that relate to high-stakes testing in your area. Then disseminate your proclamation to local, state and national officials.
Page last updated: May 20, 2004
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