If you want your money for the kids, Virginia*, you better listen up.
Have you been following the drama between these two? Today's Post explains Ed's most recent threat to withhold more than $17 million from Fairfax County schools if the system continues to defy a federal mandate to give reading tests to thousands of English language learner children.
Naturally, both Ed and Virginia are arguing for what's best for the kids. Ed says the ELL kids won't get the attention and resources they deserve if they're not tested the same way as other kids. Virginia says it's not fair to test these kids on content when they don't yet understand the language. Ed argues that if we don't assess their content knowledge, we won't know how to serve them. Virginia counters that the tests won't give us good information anyway. Virginia wants to develop an alternative test in time for next year's assessments. Ed says no- it's gotta happen before the Cherry Blossoms (those beautiful warm and sunny days set aside for testing). Ed's holding the purse strings. Virginia's with the kids all day. Who's to decide?
That's the gist, although there's much more to it than this. Education Week's Mary Ann Zehr has been covering this story and other big debates over English language learners. Check out her new blog, which is sure to stay on top of the Virginia/Ed chronicles.
It's an important story to follow b/c it's not just about Virginia. Ed's got kids all over this country.
*Education Sector co-founder Andrew Rotherham is a member of the VA Board of Ed.
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