The Illinois Federation of Teachers is partnering with the Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Families for Public Schools, the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Journey for Justice, the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois, and Raise Your Hand Illinois to call on the Illinois State Board of Education to STOP THEIR VOTE to identify a vendor for a new, required high-stakes interim testing plan at their June 16 board meeting.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) intends to spend more than $227 million over the next 10 years on a state-mandated testing program that increases high-stakes tests for students. Such tests are disconnected from curricula and promote one-skill-at-a-time instruction rather than deep, meaningful learning.
Our students are more than test scores. Students and educators spent too much time on standardized tests before COVID-19. Given all we have been through over the last year, increasing high-stakes testing will add an additional, unnecessary layer of stress. We maintain that ISBE’s resources can be better spent in ways that will positively impact our students’ lives and learning, such as more clinicians and smaller class sizes.
You can help stop this plan by taking action:
Join IFT’s webinar on June 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. to gain a deeper understanding of the issue. REGISTER HERE.
Join us in telling ISBE to stop their vote and engage the public before changing state-mandated tests. Contact ISBE today!
Spread the word on social media. Here are some sample posts!
Thank you for taking this important step to prevent ISBE from making a rushed decision about assessments without input from the stakeholders who will be impacted most!