By Mac LeBuhn, Assistant Policy Analyst
In a speech before AFT members today, Randi Weingarten called for a moratorium on any high-stakes testing aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) until implementation of the standards advanced: “I am proposing that states and districts work with educators to develop clear tasks and a clear timeline to put in place the crucial elements of Common Core implementation. And until then, the tests should be decoupled from decisions that could unfairly hurt students, schools and teachers.”
The AFT, which represents 1.5 million teachers in all 50 states, has supported Common Core-aligned assessments up to this point. Randi Weingarten’s speech is an unfortunate change in course from an important Common Core supporter.
Tim Daly, the president of TNTP, posted on Weingarten’s remarks yesterday. He provided four reasons that the AFT’s change in course is a mistake:
1) Students don’t have the liberty of treating the initial years of Common Core as a grace period. Many are taking new Common Core-aligned tests for the first time this year. They need Common Core proficiency for college entrance exams and placement exams, which determine whether they can take credit-bearing courses. For them, Common Core counts, right now. Why should it be any different for their teachers and schools?
2) Taking accountability out of the equation isn’t likely to ease or improve Common Core implementation. The work of creating new assessments and curricula still has to happen. Teachers must receive time and training. In our experience, districts focus more intently on such tasks when they are well-aligned with how everyone will be held accountable. The new Common Core assessments can also help us identify the teachers who are thriving and ensure that their colleagues can observe and learn from them. Why give up that opportunity?