DO NO HARM. That is Reasonable.

By Peggy Robertson

As this common core and high stakes testing war comes to a head I am watching lots of folks trying to mediate and ask folks to be reasonable. They want to talk about all the harm that could come to our schools should we refuse these tests or refuse test prep common core curriculum. When I hear this my hair stands on end.

Number one. Don’t flipping tell me to be reasonable. Don’t insult me – as a professional – my first job is to do NO HARM. THAT IS REASONABLE.

Two. Speaking of harm – what harm do you think is going to come to our communities? Our children? Let’s see, they’ve stripped our schools of all funding for small class size, librarians, nurses, counselors, art, music programs, sports programs, REAL teachers, books, building repairs, classroom supplies and more.

They’ve stripped our schools of democracy. They’ve stripped our schools of trust, and respect and safety – there is NOTHING safe for children in a high stakes environment. Countless communities have been destroyed and children no longer can go to their neighborhood schools.

THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE POVERTY AND FEED OUR CHILDREN TESTS INSTEAD. So tell me again – hurt our schools? How??

Be careful around these reasonable folks who want you to adhere to mandates in order to avoid “hurting” your schools – they have something personal to gain or they are simply sheeple. Our schools and our children are already hurt.

We are attempting to educate in war tents with damaged communities, children, teachers and buildings. Quite honestly, the way many folks act now in the public schools is the way folks who have been mentally or physically abused act. Folks have been so beaten down that they are hanging on by a thread.

So – you – out there – who have the audacity to tell us to stop our acts of civil disobedience in order to stop “hurting” our schools – we know your game and we know where you stand. On the wrong side of history. Get out of our way.

Peggy Robertson is n instructional coach, writer, gardener and stellar organizer. She writes about education and is an activist and organizer focused on an end to corporate education reform. She is one of the founders of www.unitedoptout.com.  Her blog is called Peg with Pen.