Race to the Top

High Stakes Testing: Part 1

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Dora Taylor

To follow is the first in a series of posts describing what high stakes testing is, how it began, the ramifications of this type of testing and  how it will affect every student. High Stakes Testing: A Little History   “…I discovered then, in my early teaching career, that learning is best driven by ideas, challenges, experiences, and activities that engage students. My experience over the past 45 years has confirmed this. We have come far from that time in … →

Race to the Top Going from District to District – Lessons Learned

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Dora Taylor

After Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gleaned as much as he could out of the Race to the Top funding, such as it was, by putting a carrot in front of the donkey with potential money to the states, he decided to go from district to district selling his wares. The state of Washington did not seriously go after Race to the Top money, knowing what the price was, charter schools and the wasting of community schools through closures and … →