The Innovative Educator Talks to Parents as Partners about Fixing the School and Not the Child

I'm excited to be joining Parents as Partners on Monday May 2, 2011 at 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (GMT-4) to talk about my free ebook for parents “Fix the School Not the Child” which you can download right from my blog. 


I wrote this guide after watching the movie "Race to Nowhere" because I was surprised that the parents featured in the film, whose children were suffering because of school, seemed to feel they were powerless to do anything different.  I thought, wow?  Really?  They just kept subjecting their children to the same thing that was causing them to suffer. I intended to write a blog post in response, but that quickly turned into a twenty page booklet containing 20 ideas for parents who are sick of "Waiting for Superman" and tired of having their children in a "Race to Nowhere."  


To date there are more than 8000 people who have read the guide and have been empowered with ideas to do what is in their children's best interest.  My goal is for parents to share it  far and wide with other parents in their children’s school and, if they have online spaces, I hope they will place it there as a free guide for others.


Location: http://tinyurl.com/ETTPasp
You can join me in the elluminate room at http://tinyurl.com/ETTpasp The chat conversation will be held in this room. If you have a USB headset with microphone you can come to the mic to ask questions.


Link to Parents as Partners webcast: http://tinyurl.com/ETTpasp
Test your computer settings http://www.elluminate.com/Support/?id=62/
The audio only portion of the webcast will be on ustream at http://edtechtalk.com/live
Miss the show? check back for the recording at www.edtechtalk.com/ParentsasPartners

You have read this article parent involvement / Parentella / Race to Nowhere / Waiting for Superman with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2011/05/the-innovative-educator-talks-to.html. Thanks!

You cannot be forced to take the racist tests

Thank you to Rich Gibson for the following information.  Visit his Home Page here. 


California and Michigan Law make it clear that you do not have to take the SAT 9 (California) or the MEAP (Michigan). You have a right under law not to take the test. If they choose, parents can send a letter opting kids out of the test, or you can just stay home. Teachers are not supposed to solicit non-cooperation with the tests. However, they CAN tell you about interesting www sites like this one. Here are three links about the tests. (Fairtest, MEAP boycott flyer, and Nick Lemann on the Big Test)
 
In other states, like New York, the law is more restrictive. However, you can simply say, "My religion, says that I must do what is right, and the test is not right." 

Or you can say, "Hundreds of parents and students are going to boycott this ridiculuous test that only measures parental income and race. So do not bother us. If you do, you will only demonstrate that you do not understand how power works."

Or you can say, "We would like to receive, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, all of your travel and expense reports for the last year. We would like the same reports for your secretary."
Or you can say, "This is my child and I will determine what is right for my child and what is not."
Or you can say, "Students in wealthy neighborhoods do not have to take such tests.  I don't want my child to take it either." 



There is no reason for you to allow the standardistos to abuse your child, or to abuse you. Boycott the exams. Heap ridicule on the child abusers. California and Michigan parents and students have a legal right to opt out of the tests based on state law.  Teachers and  administrators are being directed not to inform you of your rights.  Parents and students in other states, for the most part, have the same rights written in state law.  However, if the authorities refuse to advise you of your rights under state code, you always have the right to refuse to participate in these exams based on your religion, or based on the fact that the exams systematically discriminate against people based on race and social class.  No school or state official has a right to retaliate against you for exercising your rights under the law.  It is illegal for any state official to abuse their authority to deny you your rights.

Boycott the MEAP!	Articles by Rich Gibson on Education and Testing
California Law Allows Opting out of Tests	Others' Writing about Education and Testing
Nick Lemann on the Big Test
Fairtest
Oppose High Stakes Standardized Tests! (resolution passed by CUFA of NCSS)
Opt out of MEAP

Sample letter to the principal of the school to exempt your child from the abuse of standardized tests. You do not need to say anything other than this, according to the law in most states. You may want to tell the principal why you are doing this, but you are not required to do so.

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Dear Principal:   I do not want my child ____________________________________ to take the [TEST NAME] this year.    Parent/Guardian Date

You have read this article standardized tests with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2011/05/you-cannot-be-forced-to-take-racist.html. Thanks!

IdeaJam with Alan November to Solve Ed Problems with Tech

Education thought-leader Alan November will be moderating IdeaJam on Monday, May 2 at 9 am PT. Ideajam is a creative brainstorm about education with ideas and thoughts from teachers, policy makers, students, and parents on how to solve some of education’s largest problems by using technology. This IdeaJam will be broadcasted live so everyone can join in to virtually ask questions and hear some solutions about education, innovation, and technology. You can participate in the conversation on Twitter by following @IntelEdge and the #IdeaJam hashtag or check out the livestream at 9 a.m. PST at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9YULZJwJuI

Intel is hosting the event and wants to hear from you about how you would use technology to solve some problems in the classroom. Join the conversation on Twitter and tweet at @IntelEdge for a chance to  win $100 gift card donation to DonorsChoose.Org or a Best Buy gift certificate.

You have read this article Alan November with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://benncam.blogspot.com/2011/05/ideajam-with-alan-november-to-solve-ed.html. Thanks!