14 DAY TRIAL // Teachers in Seattle are fighting the Measures of Academic Progress tests, a standardized test which they dub useless and conducing to conflicts of interest.
So far, staff at four schools have rallied to protest being forced to administer the test, writes KIRO TV. Garfield High School, Orca K-8 and Salmon Bay K-8 teachers are among those opposing the standardized test.
"This MAP test is leading (us) on a journey toward failure. It's leading us on a journey of conflict of interest and ethics violations," notes Garfield High School teacher Jesse Hagopain.
According to some teachers, the MAP does not currently evaluate knowledge acquired in class, as they do not teach some of the subjects included in the tests.
As the MAP is not required in order for a child to graduate, teachers argue that taking it and making students study for it is simply a waste of time.
In addition to that, the test was introduced by late Maria Goodloe-Johnson, earning the company that came up with it $400,000 (€307,000). Goodloe-Johnson was not only a decision-maker in the Seattle Public Schools System, she was also on the board of said company.
Reps at universities across the nation have expressed their support for the teachers fighting the MAP. MIT, NYU, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Texas at Austin and some Chicago Public Schools are among those concerned about how it may affect the students.
Elementary school teachers have also taken a stand on the issue, as Schmitz Park Elementary staff detail in their public letter supporting the boycotts.
"Apparently, district officials told Garfield staff the test was 'not valid' because the margin of error can exceed the expected growth score.
"Given this information, it seems unthinkable that these scores would be used to determine the 'effectiveness' of teachers.
"The teacher’s collective bargaining agreement allows the use of low scores to impact the placement of teachers into more comprehensive evaluations, en route to performance improvement plans and termination. The threatening of teachers with invalid data simply is not right," they write.