Despite voicing strong opposition to standardized testing, local school leaders passed a resolution last week that would require all students to take government mandated exams.
Citing assessment tests were “grossly stupid,” Montezuma Cortez Re-1 school board Vice President Jack Schuenemeyer said it was unnecessary to test students so much.
Re-1 Treasurer Pete Montano added the country was experiencing a “hyper testing” age, stating, “Testing has become big business.”
And school board member Brian Demby, who has two daughters in high school, said students were experiencing “test fatigue.”
All three, however, along with other board members present at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, voted unanimously to force Re-1 students to submit to standardized testing. Board member Sherri Wright was absent.
Superintendent Alex Carter also voiced his displeasure with required testing, stating, “I think [the tests] are annoying, and not incredibly useful.”
The following day, Carter summarized that school leaders had “engaged in a robust discussion” about many issues and concerns, citing standardized testing placed a “burden” on students, teachers and the entire educational program.”
Carter added the board’s decision recognized concerns expressed by parents, students and educators that “over testing” negatively impacts the learning environment, intrudes on critical instructional time and stresses scarce technology resources.
A state statute requires that 95 percent of the district’s students participate in 27 federal and state mandated assessments in order to avoid an accreditation drop.
In addition to required testing, the resolution also requested legislators reduce the number of standardized tests. Charged with improving education, Carter said the district and community wanted a “fair and equitable method of holding schools and districts accountable.”
According to Carter, Colorado spends $78 million annually on testing. Montano added the federal government spent $1 trillion on education.
Demby said more resources should be allocated toward ACT preparation. The district doesn’t have an organized ACT prep program.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com