Michigan Radio Focuses on High Stakes Testing Jan. 16 and Jan. 30, 2014

Michigan Radio is devoting quite a bit of attention to education in general, and in the next couple of weeks, to high stakes testing in particular. And that is great news.

From Michigan Radio's Facebook page:

Philco Cathedral Radio. Found online
from Wikimedia here. 

"High Stakes Testing" Call-in Show

This Thursday, Jan. 16, 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm (repeat)
Join Jennifer White as she hosts a live call-in special on this important topic. You can submit your questions by phone at 866-255-2762, on Twitter @StateofOpp, or on Facebook herehttps://www.facebook.com/stateofopportunity

Yes, that is correct--that's a CALL IN SHOW, or you can TWEET IN. Do it! Share your opinion! (I assume you have to call in for the 3:00 pm show.)

"The Big Test" Documentary

Thursday, Jan. 30, 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm (repeat)
Then, on January 30, Dustin Dwyer goes inside a struggling school, from the first day of the year until the last testing day for the MEAP. He brings us a rare look at all the things the tests don't tell us about kids, schools and what it means to get a good education."


Consider subscribing to Ann Arbor Schools Musings by Email!

DIY Stockbridge

I've been meaning to share some great Michigan Radio stories about the Stockbridge schools. Stockbridge is just over the border from Washtenaw County...and has a reputation as being a DIY (Do It Yourself) place. Radio: It's the next best thing to being there.

State of Opportunity: A Close Look at a Rural District

Stateside: State of Opportunity Looks at Stockbridge

Stockbridge Series: High Expectations for At-Risk Kids

Stockbridge Series: An Educational Experiment on the Cheap

[Radio] State of Opportunity: Stockbridge's Exploratory Academy: No Student Wants a Sick Day

[Radio] State of Opportunity: Is Middle School Worth the Trouble?

Stockbridge Series: Economic Hardship Makes College Readiness Mean Something Different

[Radio] Stockbridge Series: Is College Readiness Enough? 

(I think this was my favorite.)

[Radio] Stockbridge Youth Journalists: Rural Michigan Through the Eyes of Its Young People

I Was on the Radio about our Petition Drive!

Tonight, I was on the radio! I was talking about our petition and the overtesting of students.

Read it here--it doesn't look like there is a "listen" option.

Sign the petition here.

I was also quoted in annarbor.com about the same issue!

I'm not sure I've ever been on the radio before--if so, it has been a long time. And I actually didn't even get to hear myself. I think I missed it when I ran in to pick up my son from a friend's house. Which maybe is just as well, I probably sounded dorky. (If you did hear it, tell me what you think.)

As I said to the radio reporter, "We don't need students spending time learning how to take standardized tests. We need them to spend time learning how to talk to radio reporters!" [Yes, he laughed.]

While we're on the subject of the radio, we have two local radio stations that I really appreciate for their focus on issues like this. Guess what? Both of them are having their pledge weeks this week.

Share your love for their support of local and state news. Get a tax deducation. Make your pledge to:

WUOM, Michigan Radio

WEMU, Eastern Michigan Radio