Last week, President Obama reminded us all why his election gave many of us so much hope. In 338 words he spoke of how he wanted his daughters, Sasha and Malia, to have their learning tested. He described a low-stakes, low pressure environment, with the results used not to punish them, their teachers or their school, but simply to find out what their strengths are, and where they might need extra support. He spoke of the need to avoid teaching to the test, and the value of engaging projects that would make students excited about learning. President Obama has made sure his daughters can learn this way. If only Department of Education policies would allow students in our public schools this same privilege!
President Obama needs to understand. Those of us who care deeply about our children and public schools cannot support his candidacy if he does not fix his education policies so they align with what he said on March 28th.
We have created a petition asking President Obama to support the Guiding Principles of the Save Our School March and National Call to Action, which are aligned with his. Please sign it here.
And we want to help him and Secretary Duncan understand how their policies must change.
If you are a student, in 338 words or less, please describe how you want to learn and have your learning tested.
If you are a parent, in 338 words or less, describe how you would want your children to learn and have their learning tested.
If you are teacher, in 338 words or less, say how you think your students will learn best, and how we should measure their learning.
If you are a citizen, in 338 words or less, say how you think our schools ought to be helping students to learn, and measuring learning.
Please send your finished letters to us here. We will gather these messages over the next few weeks, and on May 1, we will send them to President Obama and Secretary Duncan. We will also make the collection available for download so that everyone can understand why we need dramatic change for our schools.
President Obama, we want for America’s children what you want for yours.