Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 10-27-15 Edition

Presidential News
President Obama Urges Limits On School Testing
WASHINGTON — Tar- geting one of education’s most divisive issues, Presi- dent Barack Obama on Saturday called for capping standardized testing at 2 per- cent of classroom time and said the government shares responsibility for turning tests into the be-all and end- all of American schools.
Students spend about 20 to 25 hours a school year tak- ing standardized tests, ac- cording to a study of the nation’s 66 largest school districts that was released Saturday by the Council of
Great City Schools. But it’s not known how much class time students spend prepar- ing for tests that became mandatory, starting in third grade, under the George W. Bush-era No Child Left Be- hind law and are a flashpoint in the debate over the Com- mon Core academic stan- dards.
‘‘Learning is about so much more than just filling in the right bubble,’’ Obama said in a video released on Facebook. ‘‘So we’re going to work with states, school dis- tricts, teachers, and parents
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
to make sure that we’re not obsessing about testing.’’
To drive the point home, Obama and Education Sec-
retary Arne Duncan plan an Oval Office meeting Mon- day with teachers and school officials working to reduce testing time.
In all, between pre-K and 12th grade, students take about 112 standardized exams, according to the council report. It said testing amounts to 2.3 percent of classroom time for the aver- age 8th-grader.
‘‘How much constitutes too much time is really diffi- cult to answer,’’ said Michael Casserly, the council’s executive director.
Obama cannot force states or districts to limit testing, which has drawn consternation from parents and teachers. But Obama directed the Education De- partment to make it easier for states to satisfy federal testing mandates and he urged states and districts to use factors beyond testing to assess student performance.
The Obama administra- tion said it still supports standardized tests as a nec- essary assessment tool, and there are no signs they are going away soon.
Local
The Black History Experience came to the R. W. Saunders Library with a full program that included video presentations and the Negro National Anthem.
Among the videos seen was the Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcat Band. The opening prayer was done by Johnny Douglas and the welcome was given by Fred Hearns. (PHOTOS BY SYLVESTER HARRIS)
The Black History Experience
Board/Panel Members of Bethune-Cookman Univer- sity: Lucille Morris, Helen Young, John L. Douglas, III (Vice President), and Andra Diggs (President).
Fred Hearns presents an award to B-CU Alumni Pres- ident Andra Diggs.
Guests attending the event were Mr. and Mrs. Don (Bettye) Johnson.
Participants and supporters, Dr. Aaron Smith, Geor- gette Gardner.
Pastor John L. C. Ms. Carrie Hurst and Mr. Guests and Alum Members at- Douglas, III led the Andra Diggs exchanged Certifi- tending the event were Herman
group in prayer. cates of Appreciation.
Monroe and Jackie Grant.
Alumnus Patrick and wife, Maria Mitchell enjoyed the his- toric moment.
Librarian and FAMU Member, Carrie Hurst and Dr. Walter Smith.
Alumni Supporter, Molbert Scrivens.
Alumni Members of Bethune-Cookman University: (left to right, sitting) Lucille Morris, Helen Young and Molbert Scrivens. Standing: Birdie Underwood, Betoria Watson, Jackie Grant, Michelle Brundidge, John L. C. Douglas, III (Vice Pres.), Ashley McKenzie, Lorretta Cottman, Qiana Boyd, and Patrick Mitchell. Rear: Pollynesia McMillan, Brenda Clark, Sholanda Lock, Andra Diggs (President), and Diane Diggs.
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015