k-12

Here are sample letters for you to use in encouraging friends, local school boards, allied organizations, and state and national legislators to endorse the Resolution. There are also sample letters to the editor and op-eds. We encourage you to submit these to your local paper or blogs.

Sample letters to friends and others:

Stop testing madness, create culture to truly prepare students

Posted: Thursday, May. 17, 2012 – Charlotte Observer op ed

From Pamela Grundy and Carol Sawyer, co-chairs of Mecklenburg Area Coming Together for Schools:

It’s test week, and every public school teacher and parent in North Carolina knows what that means.

It's MCAS time in Massachusetts. Our children, like their peers around the country, are spending less time learning, more time prepping for, taking and worrying about standardized tests.

Are you are concerned about the ever-increasing influence of standardized testing on your children? Do you have the feeling that your child is getting test prep while suburban kids are still learning a broad and deep curriculum that better prepares them for college and careers? Take heart. A national rebellion started Monday, April 23, and is spreading rapidly throughout the United States.

School’s out for summer, to the relief of millions of test-weary students, teachers and parents. Our children are spending less time learning, more time prepping for, taking and worrying about standardized tests.

Are you are concerned about the increasing influence of standardized testing on your children? Do feel your child is getting test prep while other kids are still learning a broad and deep curriculum that better prepares them for college and careers? Take heart. A national rebellion started this spring and is spreading rapidly throughout the United States.

Dear (Legislator/Congressperson),

Dear Members/Board Members of the [name] PTA/PTO,

I'm writing to ask you to help curb the pervasive high-stakes testing that is damaging our children's education. Please join me in endorsing the National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing. I attach a copy.

Dear [School board member/organization leader],

Dear [your friend/colleague],

I'm writing to ask you to help curb the pervasive high-stakes testing that is damaging our children's education. Please join me in endorsing the National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing. (I attach a copy of it.)  

for further information:
Dr. Monty Neill  (617) 477-9792
Bob Schaeffer     (239) 395-6773

for immediate release, Tuesday, June 26, 2012

HIGH-STAKES TESTING RESISTANCE SPREADS ACROSS NATION;
RESOLUTIONS, BOYCOTTS, OPT-OUTS SHOW INCREASED PUBLIC OPPOSITION
TO FAILED “TEST-AND-PUNISH” SCHOOL POLICIES

Pop Quiz on Testing
  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/06/13/35guisbond.h31.html