rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/tell-isbe-to-stop-their-vote-to-change-student-testing?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-tell-isbe-to-stop-their-vote-to-change-student-testing' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Illinois Federation of Teachers https://actionnetwork.org/groups/illinois-federation-of-teachers https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/share_options/facebook_images/000/306/938/original/TestingSM-D1-2_copy.png Please join us in telling the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to STOP THEIR VOTE for a request for sealed proposals for a new, required high-stakes interim testing plan at their June 16 board meeting. ISBE is seeking a vendor for state tests for grades 3-8 to replace the yearly, summative Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR). Instead of the IAR, students would take three high-stakes interim tests in fall, winter, and spring, with scores from the three tests determining an overall high-stakes score. The Illinois Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Families for Public Schools, the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Journey for Justice, Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois, and Raise Your Hand Illinois are advocating for more time and public engagement before changing state-mandated tests. We hope you will join us in asking ISBE board members to STOP THEIR VOTE on June 16. Here’s why: The timeline is rushed and there hasn’t been authentic outreach to those impacted the most by this change in testing: families, students, and educators.   This is an increase in high-stakes testing (three times/year – every 10-12 weeks) and test preparation time, which means a decrease in instructional time and deep, meaningful, problem-based learning. Districts will be able to determine which standards are assessed on each test, and it is unclear how student growth will be measured under that plan. This will cost $227 million over the next 10 years, yet there is no research to show that interim tests promote better teaching, deeper learning, or improved student learning.   This plan opens the door to mandatory K-2 standardized testing, which is developmentally inappropriate for early learners. Changes to state-mandated testing should be decided with stakeholders and without rushing the process. Our students, especially those in underserved communities, have carried the brunt of the negative impacts of COVID-19. Standardized tests did not serve them well before the pandemic and increasing testing now will be an additional source of stress and trauma. Our resources should instead be spent supporting these communities in ways that make a positive difference, such as more clinicians and smaller class sizes.   View our full fact sheet here. Please complete the required information on this page to send a letter to ISBE board members today. Thank you! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-isbe-to-stop-their-vote-to-change-student-testing