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One Student’s Thoughts & Feelings About High-Stakes Standardized Test

From Dan Drmacich via the Diane Ravitch Blog

Kevin Bosworth, a teacher at Olathe East High School in Olathe, Kansas, wrote to tell me about a class discussion of grades and tests. A student shared her poem with the class, and Kevin shared it with me. The reformers and disrupters now say they are intrigued with social and emotional learning. Let them read this and see what they have learned.

Hello my name is worthless
Name number and date
State your class and hour
Let the rubric pick your fate 

Your value as a human
Can be measured by percent
All that matters is the value
That the numbers represent 

We promise that you matter
You’re more than just a grade
But you better score one hundred
Or else you won’t get paid 

They require our attendance
We’re brain dead taking notes
So we can barf back up the knowledge
That they shove down our throats 

Each human life is precious
And every childhood has worth
But if you fill in the wrong bubbles
Then you don’t belong on earth 

They question our depression
They wonder why we’re stressed
When our futures are decided
Doing better on a test 

They tell me that I’m gifted
That there’s no need to despair
But if you only read the numbers
I’m a living waste of air 

I might think I have talents
But there’s no worth in art
Because it can’t be measured
By a number on a chart 

The people say I’m flying
The numbers say I’ll crash
My letter grades ‘ll prove it
I’m worthless human trash

They use standardized procedures
To find the worth of kids
But I don’t fit in boxes
Without spilling out the lids 

Some kids don’t fit the system
But differences can’t stay
They put us in the garbage
And throw it all away

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Another Update on Jerry’s Eye Surgery

Many thanks to the nearly 100 people who were interested in the eye surgery and lent their good wishes. They say the surgery was successful. I took the bandage off my eye in the office. The lens was back where it is supposed to be. They had to drain most of the gel in the back of my eye to find it. It went there through a tear in the capsule. I was conscious through most of the surgery. For example. I remember the macular surgeon saying, “We’re in business!” when he found the lens! It looks like no macular damage in the process, which was a possibility. It is still sore three days later but the vision is getting clearer all the time. I am having trouble putting the two images together but that is getting better, too. They say this was more serious and recovery will take longer. The image was yellowish at first from remaining blood from the process, but that is mostly gone. The other eye is good. And overall, I’m happy. If everything will be OK, I can be patient.

-Jerry Mintz

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Why Peter Berg Thinks it is Important to Become an AERO Sustainer Now

By Peter Berg

I have been thinking a lot about why an organization like AERO is so important to our future.  Here in the US and around the world institutions of law, decency, education and even basic freedom are under attack.

Hard lines have been drawn and we have seen the rise and entrenchment of tribalism at it’s worst.  It seems that we can no longer have conversations about facts, the good of society or our future without being labeled or dismissed.

Much of this is a result of an education system that does not honor the drive to learn and be free.  Way too much is spent coercing youth into doing something because they’re told to or because someone, somewhere came up with arbitrary standards that even the most competent of adults couldn’t reach.

I believe this is why AERO’s work is even more important than ever.  Some of you know me and know my connection to AERO those of you who know me best know that I wouldn’t give so much of myself to an organization unless it was moving the needle in the direction of liberation and freedom, with a large dose of heart-centered work.

AERO is now in its 30th year and our work has helped shape the global revolution in education.  AERO has been the inspiration for and has directly helped thousands of adults and youth to start programs, schools, learning centers, and organizations.

Indeed many organizations that are currently doing important work in ‘alternative education’ got their start with AERO and or have used AERO events as a launching pad for their crucial initiatives.

AERO is still the only organization that brings together all learning alternatives on a worldwide scale. From helping youth and families to find the right educational fit to providing, resources and support to changemakers and visionaries it would be hard to quantify exactly how many people’s lives AERO has changed.

AERO believes that the oppression of voices, creativity and freedom especially in our youth has gone on quite long enough and can no longer stand which is why AERO will be embarking on exciting new initiatives, such as:

  • More Local Events – Building on the success of local events such as most recently, and notably, the AEROx regional held at Workspace Education in Bethel, CT, we will be holding more local, smaller gatherings in the future as well as the National conference.
  • School/Learning Center Tours – Tours in particular areas that are designed to showcase the innovative work
  • Podcasts – Monthly podcasts about current educational trends and issues
  • Message Board – Connect with other members on the message board to get advice, feedback and more
  • AERO Representatives – We have AERO representatives throughout the globe who will offer consultations and guidance  Course Offerings/ Trainings – In addition to the school starters course AERO will be offering new courses and trainings over the next few years.
  • AERO Documentary – There seems to be interest in an AERO documentary that would chronicle AERO’s work and spread the word about educational alternatives.

Become a sustaining member here.

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Post Conference Book Clearance

We are having a clearance of books that are left over from the last two conferences. Many are terrific books that we have overstocked. Take a look at the list below. All books are just $5 including hardcovers. Just click on the ones you’d like to have. Limited Numbers of each.