To the New York Post, Feb. 28, 2008

Feb 28, 2008 12:43 PM

To the Editor:

It is puzzling to see the New York Post attack the United Federation of Teachers just for running a television ad highlighting the need to balance standardized testing and test preparation with a rich curriculum promoting a well-rounded education (“The UFT’s Real Gripe,” Feb. 27).

The 30-second ad simply reflects a growing concern by parents, teachers and education experts that excessive standardized testing and the amount of time spent on test preparation are denying students the type of education that sparks creativity and encourages excellence. The record is clear that parents and educators have raised this issue repeatedly for the past couple of years as Tweed adds more and more tests.

Testing is an important part of measuring student progress, but it should not be done at the expense of educating the whole child. Raising a straw man is also ridiculous: Standardized test scores have never been a solid measure of teacher effectiveness because of educational and statistical reasons. Moreover, the current contract between the city and the teachers union – one that extends through the mayor’s term – precludes that use in this regard.

Parents and teachers want kids to have a well-rounded education, and the Post should support us in the fight to teach students more social studies, science and arts. New York City children certainly deserve more than they are getting now with excessive exams and mind-numbing test preparation.

Randi Weingarten, President
United Federation of Teachers