Are PSSA Tests Ruining Our Schools?

With the recent release of school district rankings based on PSSA test results, an opinion piece recently published in the Post-Gazette has created quite the buzz on Facebook.

Kathy Newman, an English professor and mother of a third grader, wrote that she is having her son "opt out" of this year's PSSA because the stressful tests "warp the educational environment." Her son attends Pittsburgh's Linden Elementary School.

We asked our Patch readers on Facebook if they support Newman's decision and what they think of Pennsylvania's standardized tests, and we received a mixed bag of reaction.

Most of the commenters think Newman is right on—calling the PSSA tests "a waste of time."

Two others think Newman might be making the wrong decision.

"You might be able to shelter your young child from the rigors of the real world, but eventually, he's going to have to face challenges, sometimes unpleasant ones, all on his own," Linda Trader wrote.

"People coddle their children too much these days," Dawn Sartori Hudock wrote.

Bill Hohn is all out opposed to the standardized tests:

"In the long run the testing is part of a political move to weaken overall the public education system, discouraging a lot of kids to make them more accepting in the limitations they will face in the cost of higher education and poor job prospects."

So what do you think? Will you join the "opt-out" of PSSAs movement? Tell us in the comments box below.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Check out some of today's other top stories here.