NEA's Van Roekel Blasts "Corruptive Influence" Of NCLB-Based Testing

In a piece for the Huffington Post (3/29), National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel laments "the corruptive influence high-stakes tests have had on our students, teachers and schools," pointing to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's report last weekend about its analysis of testing irregularities in districts across the country. Van Roekel stresses that educators must not condone cheating regardless of cause, but adds that "we should never miss an opportunity to underscore the possible consequences when real learning and effective teaching are sacrificed at the altar of high test scores. ... For the last 10 years we have shortchanged countless children because of NCLB's overemphasis on standardized multiple choice tests." He concludes by calling for a lessened role for standardized testing and a greater focus on broader classroom teaching.