Standing Up to Standardized Testing: Philadelphia’s Growing Opt-Out Movement

Posted by Saint Joseph's University on October 26, 2015

Standing Up to Standardized Testing: Philadelphia’s Growing Opt-Out Movement

Monday, November 2 | 5:00 pm

5th floor McShain Hall

Recently, there has been growing opposition nationally and locally to “high-stakes testing,” as critics say results are unfairly used to label schools and students as failing, ignoring factors such as poverty. Over 500 students in the Philadelphia School District were opted out last spring.

This panel discussion will provide a national context for the opt-out movement; describe local developments and initiatives, including the case of Finletter School; and share what parents, teachers, and students can do to reclaim our public school classrooms for authentic education.

Panelists:

• Tomika Anglin, Opt Out Philly, Parents United for Public Education
• Kelley Collings, Teacher, Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences; Co-Chair, Caucus of Working Educators (Philadelphia Federation of Teachers)
• Shakeda Gaines, Opt-Out Philly; President, Finletter HSA: Member-At-Large, Philadelphia HSA
• Alison McDowell, Opt Out Philly; Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools
• Robin Roberts, Chair, C. W. Henry SAC; Parents United for Public Education; Opt-Out Philly

Moderator:

Encarna Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership Department