To replace the controversial No Child Left Behind Act, U.S. President Barack Obama signed a new federal education law that aims to provide states greater flexibility and control. Teachers in Toledo, Ohio are seizing on this education law to cut back standardized testing, which was viewed as excessive and harmful.
On Thursday, Toledo Federation of Teachers president Kevin Dalton met outside Oakdale Elementary (before class hours) to bring attention to the Every Student Succeeds Act. President Obama signed the new law in December last year.
Teachers aim to reduce standardized testing system, as well as enhance public education. On Thursday, teacher unions in Toledo, Oregon, Port Clinton, and across Ohio held events billed as "Walk-ins for Public Education," the Toledo Blade cited.
"Our teachers want less testing," Dalton said. "Parents want less testing. Our teachers want authentic assessment and a realistic view of how their child is doing. Our parents don't believe their students are doing F work, and our teachers know they're not."
In replacement of the standardized testing, Dalton and other teachers want a reflective tool. As a matter of fact, they want a tool or platform that emulates the hard work of the children. They also want to have an opportunity to look for other ways to test the student's performance.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Education is is devising a plan in response to the new legislation that tackles assessments and school accountability. Teachers in Ohio want to launch authentic assessments such as portfolios, rubrics, etc. rather than multiple choice questions.
In other related news, the state held a survey by conducting public meetings and gathering feedback from residents, school officials etc.Education department spokesperson Brittany Halpin said there are 9,000 responses to an online survey about the new law, which can be found on education.ohio.gov.
"It's been very instructive and informative," she said.
According to Halpin, the survey is "very instructive and informative." The survey's inputs will be developed into a plan by the education department. The said plan will be forwarded to the federal education department and is expected to be implemented next school year.
