Earlier this week, a public service announcement went out assuring parents that their kids were ready for TNReady. The PSA featured Tennessee's teacher of the year, Cathy Whitehead, who narrated the youtube video saying that teachers came in early and stayed late because they cared about our kids. But she should have said that teachers come in early and stay late because they have to sort through a mess of TNReady testing materials.
Hot on the heels of the epic failure of TNReady part 1, Momma Bears is getting word from all over the state that TNReady Part 2 is another fiasco. Testing material is dribbling in sporadically often with errors and missing pieces.
We've heard a district in east Tennessee has answer sheets but no test booklets. But what the heck, just Christmas tree those suckers anyway. And high school EOC for algebra contains geometry problems and the geometry EOC has algebra problems. We're not sure if that was a printer's error or an intentional mix-up. Either way, it's always a good idea to mess with teenage minds, they need more angst in their lives.
So far, our readers have told us about scores of school districts (pun intended) that have delayed testing for lack of materials and those scheduled to start testing soon also don't have all their materials. Tuesday, the TDOE sent out a memo advising test coordinators that they have no idea when Measurement Inc. will ship out their testing packages.
We've heard a district in east Tennessee has answer sheets but no test booklets. But what the heck, just Christmas tree those suckers anyway. And high school EOC for algebra contains geometry problems and the geometry EOC has algebra problems. We're not sure if that was a printer's error or an intentional mix-up. Either way, it's always a good idea to mess with teenage minds, they need more angst in their lives.
So far, our readers have told us about scores of school districts (pun intended) that have delayed testing for lack of materials and those scheduled to start testing soon also don't have all their materials. Tuesday, the TDOE sent out a memo advising test coordinators that they have no idea when Measurement Inc. will ship out their testing packages.
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…Who's the Unfairest of Them All?
"The TDOE believes that it is critical districts know when to expect their materials. We have repeatedly asked MI for information to identify expected delivery dates for each district. Despite our repeated requests, MI has indicated that they will not be able to provide this information."
That's right. The testing schedule for TNReady part 2 is all janked up. School districts set to begin testing this week are forced to reschedule and no one at TDOE can tell them when to expect delivery of their materials. All TDOE knows is that it will be sometime between now and April 27th.
But parents already knew TNReady was set for disaster and even petitioned Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen to call it off. We begged her to spare public school kids from TNReady testing just like her children who attend private school are spared from such testing.
Sadly, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Despite concerns that TNReady is unfair and unreliable, McQueen has persisted with part two. She has allowed our entire state public education system to be held hostage by incompetence. Although, McQueen squarely blames Measurement, Inc. for all the testing problems, others point the finger at TDOE. One MNPS school board member faults TDOE Assistant Commisioner Nakia Towns flatly stating she "has no background in education or student assessment."
Still, McQueen rules TDOE so parents want her to answer for the TNReady incompetence. This is affecting our children's daily lives. Doesn't McQueen understand this is the mad rush of the final weeks of school? Doesn't she know how everything is being affected by her uncertain testing schedule? When are kids suppose to review for finals, go on field trips, take AP exams, plan special end-of-year programs, travel to band & choir competitions, enjoy field day, work on research papers?
Maybe, being a private school parent makes McQueen oblivious as to how things work in public schools.
Let's set the record straight. In public schools, EVERYTHING centers around the testing schedule. All after school events are called off during testing week. Lunch is served around testing periods. The whole school environment changes. Parents become proctors. Hallways are blocked off. Music, art and PE classes are cancelled for the week. The library is closed. So when the testing schedule changes, it really messes up everything.
School systems across Tennessee are getting tired of the constant changes and the uncertainty of everything. It's affecting morale. Parents, students, teachers, administrators, school boards, district offices are all begging McQueen for mercy. We are exhausted by the demands of learning a new system of online computer testing only to revert back to paper testing. We are growing old waiting for those paper tests to be delivered on time. We are getting headaches sorting through materials delivered piece mill. System wide fatigue has set in. Kids are crying. Teachers are complaining.
But there is no mercy from McQueen. Just the same old tired platitudes:
That's right. The testing schedule for TNReady part 2 is all janked up. School districts set to begin testing this week are forced to reschedule and no one at TDOE can tell them when to expect delivery of their materials. All TDOE knows is that it will be sometime between now and April 27th.
But parents already knew TNReady was set for disaster and even petitioned Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen to call it off. We begged her to spare public school kids from TNReady testing just like her children who attend private school are spared from such testing.
Sadly, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Despite concerns that TNReady is unfair and unreliable, McQueen has persisted with part two. She has allowed our entire state public education system to be held hostage by incompetence. Although, McQueen squarely blames Measurement, Inc. for all the testing problems, others point the finger at TDOE. One MNPS school board member faults TDOE Assistant Commisioner Nakia Towns flatly stating she "has no background in education or student assessment."
Still, McQueen rules TDOE so parents want her to answer for the TNReady incompetence. This is affecting our children's daily lives. Doesn't McQueen understand this is the mad rush of the final weeks of school? Doesn't she know how everything is being affected by her uncertain testing schedule? When are kids suppose to review for finals, go on field trips, take AP exams, plan special end-of-year programs, travel to band & choir competitions, enjoy field day, work on research papers?
Maybe, being a private school parent makes McQueen oblivious as to how things work in public schools.
Let's set the record straight. In public schools, EVERYTHING centers around the testing schedule. All after school events are called off during testing week. Lunch is served around testing periods. The whole school environment changes. Parents become proctors. Hallways are blocked off. Music, art and PE classes are cancelled for the week. The library is closed. So when the testing schedule changes, it really messes up everything.
School systems across Tennessee are getting tired of the constant changes and the uncertainty of everything. It's affecting morale. Parents, students, teachers, administrators, school boards, district offices are all begging McQueen for mercy. We are exhausted by the demands of learning a new system of online computer testing only to revert back to paper testing. We are growing old waiting for those paper tests to be delivered on time. We are getting headaches sorting through materials delivered piece mill. System wide fatigue has set in. Kids are crying. Teachers are complaining.
But there is no mercy from McQueen. Just the same old tired platitudes:
We understand the need to plan for districts, and we are extremely frustrated that we are not able to provide specific delivery timelines due to MI’s failure to provide shipping projections. At this point, what we have is a commitment from MI that all grade 3-8 material will be delivered to districts by April 27. But, we cannot provide any specific information on which districts will receive what materials over the next seven days.
As such, we are advising that all testing may be scheduled through May 10, rather than limiting grade 3-8 testing to an end date of May 6. In addition, districts may modify their testing schedules as needed, without any prior approval or notice to the department. This flexibility includes scheduling grade 3-8 or high school testing over more than five (5) days and skipping a day if need be such that testing days are not necessarily consecutive.
We understand and share your frustration with not having more specific information at this time. We will certainly update you if MI provides a projected shipping timeline for district deliveries through April 27.
We will continue to send daily shipping notices and communicate updated order fulfillment information as MI provides it. If your district has unique scheduling concerns that are not addressed by the additional flexibility noted above, please contact us.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of students, staff, and families in Tennessee.
#TNaintReady and Momma Ain't Playin'
This ain't no fairy tale and your children only have one childhood.
Don't waste it waiting on TNReady. Opt out like we told you to do.
Click here for Opt-Out Information
Don't waste it waiting on TNReady. Opt out like we told you to do.
Click here for Opt-Out Information
