The Ann Arbor Public Schools have been increasing their use of standardized tests and assessments to the detriment of our kids' education. We want the district to understand that those who oppose this trend are MANY, that we have well-researched reasons to object to all this testing, and we wish for our voices to be heard. Join our conversation and gather more info at our facebook page at Ann Arbor STOP - Stop Overtesting our Pupils Click on "petition" above to read it in full.

Dear Ann Arbor Board of Education, and the AAPS,



We, the undersigned, object to the over-use of standardized testing and assessments in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.



The ever-increasing focus on standardized testing is hurting our kids and diminishing their education.



Standardized testing has been shown to reflect one thing quite successfully: socioeconomic status. We do not feel that repeated measuring of socioeconomic status is a good use of classroom time. We feel there are too many tests, with too much overlap, cutting dramatically into classroom time that should be used for learning.



We also believe that standardized testing encourages focus on getting the “right” answer, to the exclusion of all the things that cannot be so easily measured, i.e.,

Experimentation

Thinking outside the box

Collaboration

Research skills

Asking for clarification or help

Taking one’s time

Changing one’s mind based on consideration

Fine-tuning / tweaking

Questioning the question

Offering alternative solutions

Creativity

We feel that this list is more representative of what we hope our children get from their schooling, than those things measured on standardized tests.



We request that the AAPS decrease the number of standardized tests and assessments mandated in our classrooms to only those currently required by law, leave further testing decisions beyond the minimum up to individual buildings and principals, and return more autonomy and trust to the teachers in providing individual, multi-faceted assessment of our children.