Start Here
August 28, 2023
Start Here:
Summary:
The NAEP sets the gold standard for testing.
Testing is profitable.
Low test scores means more testing.
The NAEP controls the test, data, and interpretation of data.
2020 pandemic became a crisis “too good to waste”.
The NAEP has been working hard to increase time and testing for public schools staring in 2023. Planning to 2028.
Start With Zero expectations. Okay, maybe not zero, but have really, really low, next to nil expectations.
Like an empty jar/ container. If you already think you know what you know about education, you may not get much from I.School. But if you can be open, like an empty container, it will make things easier.
Please. I am asking you to try to listen to what I have to say.
Like now, “Never let a good crisis go to waste” (Machiavellian quote from the IES- the Institute of Education Sciences) https://ies.ed.gov/director/remarks/09-13-2022.asp
If you are a student, a former student, a colleague, a former colleague of education. If you are a kid, have a kid, or know a kid. You are going to want to know the current sate of the education dis-union.
Now, I don’t expect you to trust me, in fact, I encourage skepticism, but with an open mind.
This is “essential”. But believe only what you want. A justified True Belief. You must believe it to be true, and have evidence to support it. But you must believe.
Why now?
Because so much media and subsequently our conversations evolve around this circus of politics, we are not paying attention to the federally run NAEP, which has been boringly, quietly, establishing policy from 2020 to "2028 and beyond”. This effects everyone.
91% of people are publicly educated.
100% okay, maybe 99.9% are currently dissatisfied with public education. (My own poll might be biased, however.)
In 2020 the American Psychological Association reported children ha more anxiety than psychiatric patients in the 1950’s. And that is not good.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2000/12/anxiety
In 2023 it has increased. Currently, and after COVID, the NAEP is “Doubling Down” on time and testing for future students. Which logically will increase stress and anxiety. Do we need stats and data to emphasize that? Or do you believe?
Is this dramatic? Conspiratorial?
Watch, (or not), the latest NAEP videos. Listen to the dialogue. Scripted. Repetitive. Redundant.
https://blue-orange-akcj.squarespace.com/config/website/pages/5fd7a75858279f70e4302829
https://blue-orange-akcj.squarespace.com/config/website/pages/5fd7a75858279f70e4302829
There are two completely different conversations going on here. Teacher and Students want to learn. The NAEP (or whomever pays their salary), talk about “success” and “closing the gap” The loss of learning, Gap, during and after COVID.
Talking Points: I.Logic
Students have been heavily tested. Say, since 2001. (Testing occurred prior to 2000, but not to the extent of the next two decades). The NAEP, the Nations Report Card, the Gold Standard consequently has increased both time required in school and testing. Starting 2023-2028.
Here is the logic: If we have been testing kids for over twenty years, and there is still no improvement. In fact, a “crisis” has been declared and as Machiavelli said (via NAEP), ”Never let a good crisis go to waste." (Also quoted in the IES, the Institute of Education Sciences- to support the NAEP.)
https://ies.ed.gov/director/remarks/09-13-2022.asp
And who’s fault is that? Scores are down. “Horrifically.”
The NAEP, and affiliates, writes the tests, collects the tests, analyzes the testing data, interprets the data and disseminates desired data (hint, it will always be bad and fear based), with well connected media. The NAEP has big political and even Bigger economic ties to disseminate information through radio, newspapers, magazines.
Then blames public school children for the results, which conveniently and (I believe) intentionally helps private companies. Because Public mandates means more testing, more required classes, thus textbooks publishing companies, technology giants, even big pharmaceuticals profit off NAEP’s interpretation of data.
I looks more like we are selling education, which really isn’t education if it is regurgitation of testing.
It’s time consuming, which is the point. Cradle to career conditioning. Not only are businesses management systems profiting off of kids, bm’s have compliant future employees. Long hours. Less self-actualization.
“A Child’s Need for Sleep” https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/childs-need-sleep
Much is still unknown, but it has become clear that sleep is essential to learning, memory formation, emotional regulation, and physical and mental development and that naps are an essential part of a child’s health and well-being.
Once factory work came along in the late 1700s, adult schedules began to become more regimented and children’s sleep patterns followed suit.
Lack of sleep, is just the start. Most high school students I talk to say they lack sleep, and school is the number one reason for that loss.
Point of view- think about it from business management’s perspective. Why would Big Business and Government want this system to change? It works! It works so well that during a pandemic, not only would bm’s want a return to normal (it has worked for over 100 years), but to ‘double down’ on its effectiveness.
Truly, if you are in the top tear of the economic triangle, why would you want to empower the youth? Stay sleepy. Don’t question. Stay medicated. Don’t challenge. Of course there is media rhetoric about being “woke.” If you knew more, you might perform less.
Why would bm’s want rested, clear-minded, educated, financially sustained public populations? Privatization is much more lucrative for the few.
Privatization means, what? Students owe businesses somehow? For the opportunity to forcibly go to school? Or is it ownership? Who owns you? Seriously, if you produce a creative piece of work, on school grounds, with school computers, while being monitored, who “owns” students works? Ok, I digress. But it’s a good question. Are public school ‘constituents’ aka ‘students’ considered Intellectual Property? Owned. What are they going to do about it?
Arguably, the most vulnerable of our population, kids- can’t vote, they are too short to fight back, and completely, financially dependent; and often in debt. Unfortunately, this system works.
I personally believe students deserve rights. And kids (you!) deserve a free, honest, non-coerced education. Instead we are allowing our kids to be treated and traded like pawns in a social, political, economic game- where they have little control. Simply by going along with school, as is, as has been.
My loyalty is to you students anywhere. The “losers”. The 1.7 Trillion dollar student in-debt-tors. The mentally drained “losers” of sleep and sprit.
I am on your side.
Not only am I siding with students, I’m staying here. Sideline educator. Step by step suggestions as to how to survive and thrive in this hell-hole of oppression.
How?
We are going to start with
I.Schools 10 in 10 plan
Lesson on the NAEP framework.
Why?
If you Know the System, you can Use the system, so the system doesn’t use you. (As much).
Sincerely,
Your teacher-in-service
I.Newson
Recap:
The NAEP sets the gold standard for testing.
Testing is profitable.
Low test scores means more testing.
The NAEP controls the test, data, and interpretation of data.
2020 pandemic became a crisis “too good to waste”.
The NAEP has been working hard to increase time and testing for public schools staring in 2023.