ELA Test Week

The ELA test week is finally here! This must be the most talked about and most anticipated test EVER. The ELA test scores this year will become a part of the APPR (Annual Professional Peformance Review) for teachers and principals. The anxiety levels of NYS teachers must be at an all time high right now... Many of their fates lie in the hands of our sick with fear, almost nauseous with nerves, little children, who will have to sit for an extraordinary lengthy test. So what I our children get from these tests you ask... well, I do not really know. Here are some interesting links regarding ELA, common core etc...
ELA from a 10 yr old 's point of view http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/10-year-old-i-want-to-know-why-after-vacation-i-have-to-take-test-after-test-after-test/2012/04/10/gIQA1sOz8S_blog.html
PTA helpful resources http://www.pta.org/4446.htm
Common Core Standards http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/
Opt Out? http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/04/16/with-test-week-here-parents-consider-the-option-of-opting-out/
Opt Out Petition http://signon.org/sign/give-new-york-state-parents.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=322644
Flawed Test:  http://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2012/04/nys-educators-agree-flawed-confusing.html?m=1