Citing assessment tests were \u201cgrossly stupid,\u201d Montezuma Cortez Re-1 school board Vice President Jack Schuenemeyer said it was unnecessary to test students so much.<\/p>\n
Re-1 Treasurer Pete Montano added the country was experiencing a \u201chyper testing\u201d age, stating, \u201cTesting has become big business.\u201d<\/p>\n
And school board member Brian Demby, who has two daughters in high school, said students were experiencing \u201ctest fatigue.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three, however, along with other board members present at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, voted unanimously to force Re-1 students to submit to standardized testing. Board member Sherri Wright was absent.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Alex Carter also voiced his displeasure with required testing, stating, \u201cI think [the tests] are annoying, and not incredibly useful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following day, Carter summarized that school leaders had \u201cengaged in a robust discussion\u201d about many issues and concerns, citing standardized testing placed a \u201cburden\u201d on students, teachers and the entire educational program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter added the board\u2019s decision recognized concerns expressed by parents, students and educators that \u201cover testing\u201d negatively impacts the learning environment, intrudes on critical instructional time and stresses scarce technology resources.<\/p>\n
A state statute requires that 95 percent of the district\u2019s students participate in 27 federal and state mandated assessments in order to avoid an accreditation drop.<\/p>\n
In addition to required testing, the resolution also requested legislators reduce the number of standardized tests. Charged with improving education, Carter said the district and community wanted a \u201cfair and equitable method of holding schools and districts accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Carter, Colorado spends $78 million annually on testing. Montano added the federal government spent $1 trillion on education.<\/p>\n
Demby said more resources should be allocated toward ACT preparation. The district doesn\u2019t have an organized ACT prep program.<\/p>\n