The right decision.

I think teachers should give the tests - tests that have been given for many, many years. Then, they should put out their own ranking to refute the Fraser institutes results if they are exactly correct. There has to be testing - othere wise how do we measure success or failure and judge when extra work is needed in certain areas. There has to be some standard and testing is the only way to judge that. I'd rather not rely on opinions in each district - or all would think they are doing the best job.

Are teachers afraid those results are telling the truth??

failure is no longer acceptable in the academic world. Everybody gets a ribbon!!

everyone passes even if they do not know the material. Makes the teachers look good even though the same kids they are preparing for life do not have the education.

Is anyone else tired of the BCTF always crying like a bunch of babies. While I do have complete respect for the teaching profession, their federation has to be the biggest whiners I have ever seen...well maybe a close second

I believe that the teachers are afraid of the answers.The BCTF are the biggest criers in the province......

I remember the last time i did a test like this one..Myslef and alot of other students just filled in the same answer across the whole answer card.
A recent interview on cbc radio with a teacher confirmed the same thing. "Kids dont like the test if they arent getting credit for it so they are skewing the answers"

Teachers should do their work as they have been told.
Who do they think they are?
If don't like it let them find another job.

This is tempest in a teacup stuff. Tests like the FSA have been around for ages. The Gates McInnity reading test, for example was one.

For those who have forgotten, teachers give tests all the time in the classroom. I see my children's tests routinely for spelling, mathematics, reading, etc. Checking their homework is always the best way to see how they're doing. It's micro-management and plain old responsible, old-school, sensible parenting.

Sure, do the FSA tests, but they're assessment after the fact. You don't want to know your son/daughter is failing after getting FSA results. You need to know sooner. Contact the teacher.

And there are report cards released regularly from schools. Are folks not reading these? They follow Ministry of Education rules for "letter grades" and descriptive feedback. It was the government that changed the whole letter grade concept.

FSA's are just a piece of the puzzle that come at the end of the year.

The Fraser Institute is watching the BCTF, is that a problem for anyone? Someone has to watch the people that are holding our kids for ransom.

YamaDooPolCat

re: your last comment

The Fraser Institute isn't just "watching" the BCTF. The reflection of the rankings falls on teachers, principals, school boards, and educational assistants. You will find that most boards and principals have also spoken out against FSA's; however, only the BCTF has made an organization wide response.

One more group the BCTF is "watching," is parents. There is a reason Southridge beats Quinson every single year. It comes down to time and money. Which parents have more? This is just one reason the rankings are frowned upon. Because good things can be going on at Quinson, yet every year they show up behind Southridge.

Yes YamaDooPolCat

It's called Socio-Economic-Status. It is one of the greatest single factors in educational rankings not properly recognized in standardized testing ...