Standardized testing and inclusive education
Curriculum changes threading debate across the country
Independent review recommends scrapping standardized tests in Ontario
A new government-commissioned report says that the province’s EQAO standardized testing be phased out for Grades 3 and 9. If adopted, the Grade 6 test would also see vast revisions, while the Grade 10 literacy test would no longer be a graduation requirement. Education minister Indira Naidoo-Harris subsequently announced plans for further consultation, which has been questioned in view of consultations having already taken place.
After 7 months, engaging with 5000+ Ontarians, 100+ stakeholder organizations, assessment experts & research, today we released #OntEdAssessment report https://t.co/QH34b5Bbti If you agree with all or some recommendations, please support moving forward with needed changes #EQAO
— Carol Campbell (@CarolCampbell4) April 24, 2018
Disappointed with @Indira_NH‘s response to Independent Review of Assessment. Parents, teachers and students were extensively consulted with in producing the report. We don’t need more consultations, we need action. #OntEdAssessment #onted #onpoli #ETFO #osstf
— Andrew Campbell (@acampbell99) April 24, 2018
EQAO G3 has cultural bias, inhibits innovation, is unfair to new immigrants, &leads to excessive test-prep, student anxiety & ill-being – our research results out last week on Ontario ed https://t.co/h3izRQZuR2 #OntEdAssessment @CEPascal @TorontoStar @acampbell99 @CarolCampbell4
— Andy Hargreaves (@HargreavesBC) April 26, 2018
OISE Prof. @CarolCampbell4 leads new, government-commissioned report which makes major recommendations on how students are assessed in Ontario, including: phasing out the Grade 3 EQAO and Grade 9 math test, redesigning a new Grade 10 assessment, and more: https://t.co/rqJfxuXzp7 pic.twitter.com/4SdMekHqSd
— OISEUofT (@OISEUofT) April 25, 2018
“The kids are all freaking out about that already”: Alberta expands no-calculator math exam
Education Minister David Eggen will be adding a new mental math section to its Grade 9 achievement test, accounting or 20% of the exam. A similar addition had been made last year to the Grade 6 test, with one-third having failed this section. Alberta Teachers’ Association president Greg Jeffrey applauded the inclusion of mental math but criticized the high-stake nature of the exam.
“Parents Have Rights” or “Love Is right”? Supporters and opponents protest at B.C. teachers’ federation offices
Protest ensued last week following B.C.’s decision to implement LGBT-inclusive education, which would include lessons on sexual identity and gender as not being binary, teaching students about the harmfulness of using “gay” as a slur, and having Grades 2 and 3 students analyze gender roles in fairy tales.
A tale of two rallies today: Big crowds out in support of and against @BCTF LGBTQ-inclusive education. #Sogi123 #bced pic.twitter.com/jR4jo5wAdW
— Alex Migdal (@alexem) April 23, 2018
Anti-#SOGI123 rally: “Why are we teaching our children this? Why are we sexualizing them?” #bced pic.twitter.com/quD6aKh1w2
— Alex Migdal (@alexem) April 23, 2018