Lakeland School System (LSS) Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell was in Nashville today (4.18.18) speaking on behalf of superintendents from across the state about the problems with the TNReady testing this year.
Laura Harrison, vice chair of the Lakeland School Board (LSB), said, ”Today he was in Nashville at the Government Operations and Joint House Education Committee meeting advocating on behalf of not only the Lakeland School System but school systems across the state that have experienced the debacle that is TNReady testing this year.
“I hope having the legislators hearing from feet on the ground brings home how critical it is to not use any of the TNReady test data in ANY accountability measurements this year and stop the testing now!”
She added, “Words cannot express my appreciation for our school superintendent! “
Dr. Horrell left yesterday to attend a spring retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park for AIMS, Association of Independent and Municipal Schools. From the State Park, he went to Nashville to speak on behalf of school superintendents. Vice Chair Harrison said Rep. Ron Lollar, R-Bartlett, sponsored Dr. Horrell to speak to the Committee. “He spoke as a representative for a group of superintendents,” said Mrs. Harrison. “Dr. Horrell said the superintendents talked to more than a dozen representatives.”
They also met with Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, who is sponsoring a bill and amendments to deal with the testing debacle, said Mrs. Harrison.
The TNReady testing started in Lakeland and around the state Monday (4.16.18), but was halted yesterday because of the second-in-two-days statewide failure of the Tennessee online testing platform. The online platform was used at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) where the testing was halted. Because LES (Lakeland Elementary School) students are taking their TN Ready tests using paper and pencil, the issues did not impact testing there.
Kevin Floyd, chair of LSB, wrote a letter to the Tennessee Education Commissioner and Governor about his frustration and disappointment with the situation. See link to story and letter: https://lakelandcurrents.com/tnready-testing-at-lmps-uncertain-according-to-superintendent/
Vice Chair Harrison said, “We didn’t have testing today. Dr. Horrell said there was no testing. Triage and submission of the English part A.”
… Photo courtesy of Rep. Jeremy Faison
