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Urgent: Action needed NOW to stop vouchers!

1/22/2016

 
Every legislative session for the past couple years, voucher bills have been soundly defeated, but last week, a voucher bill was sneakily slipped through the Ways & Means sub-committee when key members were not present to vote.  The bill is now headed to the full Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday at 3pm, where it must be stopped.

Why should you care???  

If vouchers pass, every public school in the
 state will be negatively impacted. The fiscal note on this bill expands to $130 million per year.  That's $130 million taken from public school budgets that are already so strapped for funding that several districts are suing the state for lack of funding for necessities (like toilet paper).  

(Note: Many think that $130 million fiscal note is a low figure because the staffer who came up with that specific fiscal note amount last year no longer works for the state and has ties to the Friedman Foundation, a pro-voucher organization.  So realistically, the fiscal impact to public schools potentially could be much worse than $130 million.  A new fiscal note should be done that is more realistic, but this voucher bill is being rushed through quickly without consideration before the public even realizes what is happening.) 

Here's where we need YOU to take action...  These are the names of the committee members below.  Please call them personally and tell them you want them to vote NO on the voucher bill.  They need to hear personally from citizens in their districts and SOON!  ​
​

Let them know:
  • If they vote for vouchers, they are abandoning public education and the thousands of children in the public schools within their districts. 
  • Vouchers have not improved outcomes in other states, but have opened Pandora's box to mismanagement and fraud with taxpayer money.
  • Private schools are not accountable to taxpayers or to legislators.
  • Could these vouchers be used to fund Muslim schools of indoctrination?  or segregated schools that exclude certain demographics?  Yes, they certainly could.
  • Private schools can not serve EVERY child, but can and will cherry-pick and discard students.

Important list of Representatives to target before Tuesday's vote at 3pm:
  • Representative David Alexander - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-8695
    (District 39, Franklin, Moore, Marion Counties)
  • Representative Joe Armstrong - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-0768
    (District 16, Knox County)
  • Representative Kevin Brooks - Needs calls. He has voted for vouchers in the past.
    rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1350
    (District 34, Bradley County)
  • Representative Karen Camper - Thank her for her past votes against vouchers.
    rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1898
    (District 87, Shelby County)
  • Representative Mike Carter - He's voted for vouchers in the past. Needs to hear from constituents.
    rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-3025
    (District 29, Hamilton County)
  • Representative Barbara Cooper - Thank her for her past votes against vouchers.
    rep.barbara.Countyoper@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-4295
    (District 86, Shelby County)
  • Representative Bill Dunn - He is a sponsor of the voucher bill.  He needs to hear from public school supporters in his district.
    rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1721
    (District 16, Knox County)
  • Representative Craig Fitzhugh - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.craig.fitzhugh@captiol.tn.gov
    615-741-2134
    (District 82, Lauderdale, Crockett, Haywood Counties)
  • Representative Brenda Gilmore - Thank her for her past votes against vouchers.
    rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1997
    (District 54, Davidson County)
  • Representative David Hawk - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers. 
    rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-7482
    (District 5, Greene County)
  • Representative Patsy Hazlewood - Unfortunately, she has voted for vouchers in the past.  She needs to hear from public school supporters in her district.
    rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-2746
    (District 27, Hamilton County)
  • Representative Gary Hicks - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-7480 (District 9, Hancock, Hawkins Counties)
  • Representative Matthew Hill - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-2251
    (District 7, Washington County)
  • Representative Curtis Johnson - Needs calls. He has voted for vouchers in the past.
    rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-4341
    (District 68, Montgomery County)
  • Representative Susan Lynn - She has voted for vouchers in the past, but she has a strong primary opponent running against her in the next election, so pressure her to vote against vouchers and not abandon the public school children in her district.
    rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-7462
    (District 57, Wilson County)
  • Representative Gerald McCormick - Was once opposed to vouchers, but then flip-flopped. Needs calling.  
    rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-2548
    (District 26, Hamilton County)
  • Representative Steve McDaniel - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-0750
    (District 72, Henderson, Chester, Decatur, Perry Counties)
  • Representative Steve McManus - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1920
    (District 96, Shelby County)
  • Representative Larry Miller - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-4453
    (District 88, Shelby County)
  • Representative Bo Mitchell - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.
    rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-4317
    (District 50, Davidson County)
  • Representative Charles Sargent - Voted for vouchers, but he's up for re-election soon.
    rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-6808
    (District 61, Williamson County)
  • Representative Curry Todd - Thank him for his past votes against vouchers.  (And also wish him a speedy recovery from his recent surgery.)
    rep.curry.todd@capitol.tn.gov
    615-741-1866
    (District 95, Shelby County)

These legislators really need to hear from constituents in their districts.  Hearing from elected school board members and Superintendents would be especially powerful.  These legislators need to be reminded of their obligation to the children in public schools in Tennessee.  Remind them of the oath they spoke when sworn into office:

I                         do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this General Assembly, I will, in all appointments, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to me injurious to the people, or consent to any act or thing, whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this state.

This voucher bill is injurious to the thousands of children in public schools across Tennessee.  It will divert funding from the public schools that children and their parents depend upon.  It will lessen and abridge their right to a free public education.  Please, don't let this happen.  Take action and make some calls!!!
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Say YES to public schools!

TN State Rep opts his own child out of testing!

1/21/2016

 
What happens when a TN State Representative opts his own children out of testing?  We're about to find out!  Check out this beautiful, spectacular opt-out letter from Representative Mike Stewart and his wife:​
Please accept this letter as a record of my decision to refuse for    (name redacted for privacy)   to participate in TN Ready/TnReady TCAP test and pretests at    (school name redacted for privacy)   for the remaining school year. My refusal to allow (child's name)  to participate is because I believe standardized high stakes testing take away time from the instructional experiences my child might otherwise receive. I want more teaching and learning, and less testing! I am aware that there is no “opt out” clause in the state of Tennessee. But the state has yet to provide any legal documentation that my child may not exercise his or her right to refuse the tests.

I understand that it is state and local policy to require all students to are to be evaluated for proficiency in various subject areas at each grade level. However, I believe that testing is not synonymous with standardized testing and request that the school and my child’s teacher(s) evaluate her progress using alternative measures including project-based assignments, teacher-made tests, portfolios, and performance-based assessments.

(Child's name) is prepared to come to school every day during the testing window with alternative meaningful, self-directed learning activities that support the essential curriculum, or is willing to participate in other meaningful activities as determined by the school or her teachers during testing times. Please let me know beforehand what I can expect as far as instructional experiences  (child's name)  will experience during testing windows. I am happy to develop material for her if the teachers believe this is appropriate. I have a tremendous respect for (child's name)'s teachers and her school. My issue is with frequent high-stakes standardized testing and the harm it does to children, teachers, and our public schools.

Respectfully yours,
Ruth Stewart
Isn't it awesome?!?  We especially like the way it says, "I am aware that there is no “opt out” clause in the state of Tennessee. But the state has yet to provide any legal documentation that my child may not exercise his or her right to refuse the tests."  Awesomesauce, that part is!

In addition to obviously being an awesome father, Representative Mike Stewart is a lawyer.  He was elected to serve part of Davidson County in the TN House of Representatives.  And he is exercising his parental right to refuse testing his child, because he is the parent and he knows his rights.  

It will be interesting to see how the district and state handles this opt-out.  We've had a lot of feedback from parents across the state.  Some districts and schools are supportive of opting out, but other districts are being just plain mean to parents and students about it!  

In fact, one principal in Shelby County told her teachers in faculty meeting last week that, "it is illegal for parents to opt out" and she instructed her teachers to write children up for discipline referrals if they refused to take the test!  OOOOHHHH, we just dare you to punish children for obeying their parents!  That's a lawsuit waiting to happen, right there, it sure is!  But it goes to show you how far some administrators and districts are willing to push to get children to take that stupid test.  

And then we hear that students in magnet/optional schools somehow have a waiver to some or all the test prep.  Those students aren't being prepped and prodded on the test like regular public school children are.  Schools in affluent areas and magnet/optional schools aren't doing nearly as much test prep as the schools in poorer areas who are desperate to raise test scores.  Remind anyone else of separate, but unequal school systems?  Testing for the poor kids, and teaching for the rich.   

Will this State Representative's child be allowed to opt out, but children in poorer schools won't?  Will the State squish this rebellion?  Or will parent's voices finally be heard and understood by the Governor and his appointed leaders?

Stay tuned!  We'll keep you posted if we hear anything.  And, you, dear readers, please keep us posted on your own opt-out experiences in TN, too.  We have an easy way you can tell us anonymously on our website (scroll to the survey at the end of the page).  Your stories sure are interesting and helpful, and there are a lot of you out there trying to opt-out, from one end of the state to the other!  Keep up the great work!

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Momma Bears give up

1/21/2016

 
​It is exhausting being an education activist.  Sometimes you wonder if you're making a difference.  The past couple of weeks have been like that.  Like last night, the TDOE hosted a town hall meeting call.  Of course some Momma Bears dialed in, prepared with questions to ask the TDOE.  What a waste of our time.  It was all pre-screened, pre-rehearsed, and just plain old propaganda for the new miracle TNReady test.  Ugh.

So we rationalize and tell ourselves that our work is not in vain... Hey, the TDOE is having to actually do fake stuff like this because of the pushback from parents like us, right?  And the people we talked to who were also on that fake call sure didn't buy the snake oil either.  Still, it is disheartening to repeatedly get the canned, scripted baloney from SCORE and the TDOE.  They just aren't listening to parents.

Even worse, there was a parent's council that the TDOE just created.  Each principal in the state was to nominate only one parent for this council.  There was a lengthy application required, including a letter of recommendation from your principal.  Oh, yes, many Momma Bears applied, eager for our voices to be heard.  Do you know how many were selected for this Parent Council?  Zero.  Not a single one.  We're pretty sure the TDOE screened applicants on social media and probably even checked the names on petitions.  The TDOE doesn't want parents who question their status quo, they want parent puppets.  Again, we wasted our time.

And then politicians pull a sneaky move to push through vouchers when certain legislators were absent from a committee meeting.  Vouchers don't make sense... They refuse to fully fund schools, so now they are going to take even more money away from public schools to give them to unaccountable private schools?  This hasn't worked in any state!  This is a disaster for children across Tennessee.  

So, "disheartened" is the mood we've been in lately.  Sprinkled in with a little "angst" over trying to play by their rules, but realizing they don't play fair and they just want parents to be silent.  Maybe we should just homeschool or pay for private school, we think?  We hate to harp, but parental apathy gets tiresome sometimes.

But then we get a message from a parent wanting to get their child out of this awful testing mess.  And we get messages from readers who are grateful for our blog and website.  Or when we least expect it, a stranger strikes up a conversation about testing, and we are able to help them opt their child out. Little glimmers of hope.  We know we are doing the right thing.  Because we are in this for the right reasons.  Not for money, but for the children.

So, we're not giving up.  Children are too important.  And don't you give up, either, fellow Momma Bears, Daddy Bears, and Grandparent Bears!  The kids need you!
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WOW!  TN Students Taking Action Against Testing!

1/5/2016

 
Some students in Tennessee are fed up with testing.  They aren't just complaining about it to their friends wishing grown-ups would fix the problem...  these students came up with a powerful plan and are taking action!  

​We found out about these students when someone forwarded their email to Momma Bears.  The students sent this email to their teachers and to teachers at other schools:

Dear Teacher:

            As you may have noticed, the quantity and duration of standardized tests have increased astronomically in recent years. We feel that these tests take away from instructional time, waste valuable resources, constrict our curricula, and still fail to provide an accurate measure of progress that would justify the losses they incur. My peers and I have decided to try and change standardized testing policy by creating and supporting a bill to limit the damaging effects of standardized testing. We request that you help us achieve this.
            Attached to this email are a number of relevant documents. First, we have letters for parents and students to help educate them on the situation. Many parents have no idea how all-encompassing testing has become and many students are unaware of what they can do to fix it. Please copy these letters and distribute them to your students. We have written both English and Spanish versions of these letters to ensure that they reach as many people as possible.
            Second, we are providing surveys for teachers, parents, and students. In order to effect any sort of change, we need as much support as possible. Please have your students complete the surveys and bring them home to their parents to fill out. You can send the compiled information from your school to White Station High School either by email or school mail.
            We are also sending petitions to the state representatives of Tennessee asking them to reduce standardized testing. If you think standardized testing is going too far, please add your signature to the petition. Since a more personal approach carries emotional weight, we will also send a contact list for local and state representatives so that you and your students can inform them of your concerns.
            It may seem a bit far-fetched for a group of high school students to try and change government policy, but we are organized, we are prepared, we are united, and we are willing to do everything in our power to reduce standardized testing and reclaim our education.
 
Sincerely,
 

Shelby County Students
​

Pretty brilliant letter, huh?  Knowing that there is a large Hispanic population that needs this info, they even translated it into Spanish!  They wrote petitions, too, and put them on the internet so they are easily shareable on ipetitions.  These kids are serious!

Perhaps these teenagers see the uncanny resemblance to their lives and the teen-fiction movies that have become Box-office hits like Divergent and Hunger Games?  They know they are more than a test result.

These students attend White Station High School, a top-ranked public optional school in Memphis.  It is an outstanding school.  During enrollment season, parents have camped outside the district office to make sure their child gets a spot at this school.  The teachers at White Station are known to be outstanding and supportive.  In fact, it appears that these students were taught how to advocate in their Civics class through something called "Project Citizen."  
​

Here are the links to their well-reseached and well-thought-out information:
  • Letter to parents urging action and support to opt-out
  • Spanish letter to parents urging action and support to opt-out 
  • Petition supporting the OPT-OUT of testing in Tennessee
  • Petition for a Moratorium against testing
  • Thorough Spreadsheet of important people to contact including elected officials and media
  • Their overwhelming district and state testing calendar for Shelby County
  • Bless these kids!  They even know that the state-run Achievement School District is a dismal failure and they wrote a petition against it!
  • A petition against the time-consuming MAP testing they were forced to take
  • A parent survey to collect public perception on testing
  • A student survey to collect student feedback on testing
  • Signature page for people to print and manually collect signatures

Not only did these students come up with all these documents, they met with elected officials.  They want to go to Nashville to speak before Education committees.  And they are reaching out to other students across the state!

Momma Bears are inspired by the bold advocacy and determination of this next generation of leaders.  Please, help us share this across the state so their spark ignites fires in other students, parents, teachers, and elected officials.  These Tennessee students have powerful knowledge of how government works, and they know their voices are powerful if they use them.  

​
Students are going to change the world.  They aren't just the future, they are the present. 
​

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​To find out more about refusing TNReady and other standardized tests in Tennessee,
please visit our website: 

http://www.mommabears.org/choose-to-refuse-testing.html  

There is even have a special website for students:  
http://www.mommabears.org/for-students.html 


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