I would like to know which tests will be used to measure anything outside of reading, writing and math. For six out of 12 years, students in middle and high school take several electives for which we offer no standardized tests. What test data will be used to evaluate music, PE, art, world languages, digital film, health, shop classes, etc?

To evaluate one of these elective teachers using our current standardized test data on reading, writing, and math is like evaluating a child raised in the Bush on how much he knows about living in Anchorage. In other words, we would be using the wrong measuring tool to evaluate the teacher. 

I understand the need for teacher accountability, but we must use measuring tools that are fair and reliable based on the subject the teacher is teaching. Let’s not jump on the bandwagon with 20 other states and use standardized testing data just because they are. We need to think this through carefully, or we will drive good teachers out of teaching.

— Anne Adasiak-Andrew

Anchorage