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When It Comes to Standardized Testing, How Much Is Too Much?

Alberto G.
/
Creative Commons

Later this month, Connecticut students will begin taking the Common Core-aligned Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test, which is designed to measure their progress in a variety of subject areas. 

But some are not so thrilled about Connecticut’s testing requirements. The state’s largest teachers union recently asked lawmakers to cut back on standardized tests. And a number of parents say they plan to opt their kids out of SBAC testing this Spring.

This hour, our panel of experts weighs in on standardized testing and some of the controversy surrounding it. A little later, we also check in on the search for Connecticut’s next education commissioner.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

GUESTS:

  • Mark Waxenberg - Executive Director of the Connecticut Education Association
  • Jeffrey Villar - Executive Director of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform
  • Jacqueline Rabe Thomas - Education Reporter for the Connecticut Mirror
  • Jonathan Pelto - Blogger and advocacy journalist based in Connecticut

John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show. 

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.