HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2012-R0447 - Call On TX Legislature To Reexamine Public School Accountability System - 11/29/2012Resolution No. 2012-RO447
November 29, 2012
Item No. 6.9
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the over reliance on standardized, high stakes testing as the only
assessment of learning that really matters in the state and federal accountability systems is
(strangling our public schools and undermining any chance that educators have to
transform a traditional system of schooling into a broad range of learning experiences that
better prepares our students to live successfully and be competitive on a global stage; and
WHEREAS, we believe our state's future prosperity relies on a high-quality
education system that prepares students for college and careers, and without such a
system Texas' economic competitiveness and ability to attract new business will falter;
and
WHEREAS, we commend Robert Scott, former Commissioner of Education, for
his concern about the overemphasis on high stakes testing that has become "a perversion
of its original intent" and for his continuing support of high standards and local
accountability; and
WHEREAS, the real work of designing more engaging student learning
experiences requires changes in the culture and structure as the systems in which teachers
and students work; and
WHEREAS, what occurs in classrooms every day should be student -centered and
result in students learning at a deep and meaningful level, as opposed to the superficial
level of learning that results from the current over -emphasis on that which can be easily
tested by standardized tests; and
WHEREAS, we support the vision for all students to be engaged in more
meaningful learning activities that cultivate their unique individual talents, to provide for
student choice in work that is designed to respect how they learn best, and to embrace the
concept that students can be both consumers and creators of knowledge; and
WHEREAS, only by developing new capacities and conditions in districts and
schools, and the communities in which they are embedded, will we ensure that all
learning spaces foster and celebrate innovation, creativity, problem solving, collaboration,
communication and critical thinking; and
WHEREAS, these are the very skills that business leaders desire in a rising
workforce and the very attitudes that are essential to the survival of our democracy; and
WHEREAS, imposing relentless test preparation and boring memorization of
facts to enhance test performance is doing little more than stealing the love of learning
from students and assuring that we fall short of our goals; and
WHEREAS, we do not oppose accountability in public schools, but believe that
the system of the past will not prepare students to lead in the future and neither will the
standardized tests that so dominate their instructional time and block educators' ability to
make progress toward a world-class education system of student -centered schools and
future -ready students; THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
THAT the City Council of Lubbock, Texas calls on the Texas Legislature to
reexamine the public school accountability system in Texas and to develop a system that
encompasses multiple assessments, reflects greater validity, uses more cost effective
sampling techniques and other external evaluation arrangements, and more accurately
reflects what students know, appreciate and can do in terms of the rigorous standards
essential to their success, enhances the role of teachers as designers, guides to instruction
and leaders, and nurtures the sense of inquiry and love of learning in all students.
Passed by the City Council on November 29, 2012
C. ROBERTSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Rebec Garza, City Secret)
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APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
�" I L�b�� �e
Karen Gibson, Mayor' •
vw:ccdocs/RES.Standardized Testing
November 15, 2012