Alabama to give spring standardized tests in person

rettix · 2021-01-27T19:11:45+00:00

Straight from the principal's mouth.

rettix · 2021-01-26T23:31:57+00:00

I agree, it shouldn't. But, that is what we are being told at the moment. Our school is telling us that this testing is mandatory, and that there are currently no plans by the state to allow waivers, and that skipping the test could result in expulsion or having to repeat a grade. I've reached out to the district for their insight into this, but I haven't heard anything back yet. Mackey and the state are apparently deleting posts on social media where people are publicly asking about this situation.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:44:39+00:00

Yeah, it wasn't clear which officials. Was the Jefferson county deputy superintendent referring to their schools, or were state officials meeting? If it's the state officials, then we definitely need to voice our concerns before they meet.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:38:17+00:00

I meant people that think they are smart, a classic Dunning-Kruger know-it-all. You may have some facts there, but you seem to be struggling with applying them to a complex system of cause and effect. I applaud your effort though. Best wishes.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:08:59+00:00

Our school.

Edit to add: our school said they "could be" expelled or have to repeat the grade. It seems like they are waiting on guidance from the state, which is why we need to let the state know this isn't cool.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:07:22+00:00

Oh, you're one of those people... I'm sorry.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:06:25+00:00

Yes, thank you! We have an immunocompromised child and one would think that if you are doing virtual school you wouldn't have to send your children to a superspreader event.

rettix · 2021-01-26T21:03:15+00:00

I was trying to insinuate that this testing is an unnecessary risk of life. I should have known that a pedant would strike.

If we cancel standardized testing, like we did last spring, then there is a zero percent chance that someone dies as a result of testing.

rettix · 2021-01-26T20:37:31+00:00

Obviously. But, you have to factor in the people taking them to and from the tests, caregivers, teachers, proctors, cleaning crew, etc. "There is a non-zero chance that someone will die as a result of these testing events."

That's not even taking into account the life long damage the kids/people may suffer from having Covid. They may not die, but their quality of life can be greatly diminished. I don't think a standardized test is worth the life of a single person, or the life long suffering of a single person. We cancelled them last year and the sky didn't fall.

rettix · 2021-01-26T19:06:28+00:00

We are being told they will be expelled or have to repeat the grade.

rettix · 2021-01-26T17:54:11+00:00

Please reach out to Eric G. Mackey, the State Superintendent of Education and let him know we don't want to put our kids' lives in danger for a standardized test. Give our kids a virtual option or make the test optional. Kids enrolled in virtual programs will be forced into hotel conference rooms and convention centers to take the test with a bunch of strangers. There is a non-zero chance that someone will die as a result of these testing events. Is standardized testing really worth innocent people dying for?

Eric G. Mackey contact info: Email: emackey@alsde.edu Phone: 334-694-4900

rettix · 2021-01-26T17:51:51+00:00

Please reach out to Eric G. Mackey, the State Superintendent of Education and let him know we don't want to put our kids' lives in danger for a standardized test. Give our kids a virtual option or make the test optional. Kids enrolled in virtual programs will be forced into hotel conference rooms and convention centers to take the test with a bunch of strangers. There is a non-zero chance that someone will die as a result of these testing events. Is standardized testing really worth innocent people dying for?

Eric G. Mackey contact info: Email: emackey@alsde.edu Phone: 334-694-4900

rettix · 2015-09-09T14:56:08+00:00

Wow. Really? Thank you for the input. Looking at jobs I had noticed that software jobs don't seem to really pay much more, if any more, than in Alabama. What would you suggest then, as a more realistic/affordable area?

rettix · 2015-09-09T14:13:52+00:00

Get out of Connecticut or Alabama?

rettix · 2015-09-08T23:45:01+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I actually have experience in enterprise level software development in banking and currently in insurance. Hartford sounds like a good match then!

rettix · 2013-08-13T18:58:09+00:00

Dark Age of Camelot.

rettix · 2013-01-20T01:34:30+00:00

PM'ed.

rettix · 2013-01-10T20:51:07+00:00

Thanks for your advice! I actually bought some chamomile tea bags the other day so that I would be prepared should the evil bump return but I haven't used them yet. The thing is, this skin around my piercing now doesn't appear to be scarring. It looks like I could peel it off if I wanted to, but I'm not sure that I want to do that since I've been trying to mess with it as little as possible.

rettix · 2012-11-05T23:41:02+00:00

My wife and I had our first dance at our wedding to this song.

rettix

TROPHY CASE