The entire point of sending children to school is so that they can acquire the skills necessary to make it in the world.
This shouldn’t be controversial, but increasingly in far-left jurisdictions the learning now takes a backseat to political concerns.
Now, the Oregon Department of Education just went full-on racist with a new declaration.
Until recently, graduating students in Oregon were required to earn standardized test scores showing proficiency in reading, writing, and math.
If they couldn’t prove their mettle, they wouldn’t be given their diploma.
This requirement was suspended three years ago because standardized tests weren’t administered during the Covid pandemic.
Now, in a vote last week, the state’s Board of Education decided to extend the suspension of the testing for a much more ridiculous reason.
It’s easier to cry “racism” than to admit that teachers are failing
It has been determined in the unanimous decision by the board that the testing requirement was disproportionately harmful to “students of color,” as well as those with disabilities and those who use English as a second language.
Many parents were outraged and on social media voiced their opposition to the board’s action.
One commenter on X wrote, “This is actually a racist policy. They’re saying minority students aren’t smart enough to pass the tests so we have to lower the standards for them. Focus on how to help them to raise scores not lower the bar.”
This is actually a racist policy. They’re saying minority students aren’t smart enough to pass the tests so we have to lower the standards for them. Focus on how to help them to raise scores not lower the bar.
— Ourtime (@Ourtime1348239) October 24, 2023
In an interview with Fox News, former gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan said, “It is not bigoted, it is not racist to want your student to be able to actually learn. At some point our diploma is going to end up looking a lot more like a participation prize than an actual certificate that shows that someone actually is prepared to go pursue their best future.”
She continued, saying, “The board failed to discuss their responsibility for lagging academic achievement in our state. Instead, they cast the blame on a tool used to measure a student’s ability to read, write and do math. It’s disappointing that these unelected bureaucrats decided to ignore public comment and continue down a path that neglects their responsibility to help students meet high standards.”
Board members were defensive about their decision when questioned.
One of the board members, Vicky López Sánchez, also dean at Portland Community College said, “The only thing we are suspending is the inappropriate use of how those assessments were being used. I think that really is in the best interest of Oregon students.”
Board Chair, Martinez Zapata described opposition to the move as a “campaign of misinformation” and “artistic quality mental acrobatics,” further claiming that the arguments against doing away with standards are rooted in “myopic analysis and bigotry,” as well as “racial superiority.”
Who are you saying the bigots are again?
Another board member, Martinez Zapata, claimed that any opposition to the board’s decision to do away with standards is based in “myopic analysis and bigotry,” as well as “racial superiority.”
The sheer ridiculousness of this decision can be couched in all kinds of colorful language, but the facts are simple.
If graduates can’t read, write or balance a checkbook, they are being set up for failure by the very same people who are claiming to be working on their behalf.
It’s little wonder why public-school enrollment in solidly blue areas of the country is declining as parents increasingly look to private schools and home-schooling options.
With public officials making decisions like these, hopefully that trend continues and accelerates for the benefit of every student, because they all deserve a good education.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any updates to this ongoing story.
