Submitted by Carol Foresta, Dec 17, 2007 14:00

One fact which has not been considered in this analysis is that 85% of the report card score was based on standardized test scores. This devalues the way a school treats courses other than ones that are concerned with math and literacy skills. For example, The Center School on 70th Street in Manhattan is a wonderful place. My daughter attended middle school there many years ago. It remains a place where children can learn theatre skills, do art and music as well as study literature, math and science. Center school received a "D". I'm not sure why but I can guess that it has to do with 85% of its grade being based on standardized assessments.

I'm glad that Diane Ravitch, a much respected scholar does not approve of what the DOE has done in its effort to grade schools. However, I think it's more than just a misguided attempt to rate schools. I believe it's an effort to close and privatize them. It feels to many teachers and parents as well as members of the community that the DOE is attacking them as professionals and in the case of parents is leaving them out of the equation altogether. There is really no public forum where parent voice can be heard anymore in the current system. I can only suppose that is because the DOE does not value or respect what we have to say.

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