Broward School Board should be aware that teachers need the full days which were negotiated in this MOU. Regarding giving teachers the time they need to plan interesting instruction for their students, BTU continues to focus on whether testing has any use. “There’s an insistence we should gather all of this data. But we’ve been gathering this data for more than two decades and where has it gotten us?
Now we just have more data. And in the process of focusing so much on data, we’ve lost our focus on the whole child.”
Here’s a recent comment by a Broward teacher:
“ANOTHER test that will take days! This district is off it’s meds! I’m disgusted with Broward Schools requiring nonstop testing of these kids. Why? Do they really think we have time to TEACH when we spend DAYS testing? IReady-Benchmark tests-Savvas tests-Science micro assessment-Science MOY part 1 was 72 questions — Now part 2 is 78. Whoever makes these decisions needs to try teaching ten year olds who never do anything but test for hours a day. Data for the sake of data isn't data. It's GARBAGE. I absolutely will NOT be remediating science. I absolutely will not perpetuate this nonsense. Science should be “hands-on” to spur real learning. There's zero time in our day as it is and no one gives an inch in giving us autonomy. I am so sick of this ridiculous “testing” over “teaching” mindset.”
The overemphasis on testing is definitely part of the reason why parents are taking their children out of Public Schools. Private Schools are not required to do this craziness. Teachers also refer to the amount of testing as one reason they’re leaving the profession.
Unfortunately, I must once again admonish THIS Board to make it clear that administrators should roll back the micromanaging of teachers. Give teachers the flexibility and time to actually teach their students.
Remember, TESTING IS NOT TEACHING!

Dear school board members and the superintendent:

I am in utter disbelief and honestly appalled that our vote for the raises and the MOU were grouped into one. It was very sneaky and does NOT represent a true vote. By this I mean that many people are too afraid not to get a raise, so they voted yes, which in turn meant that they had to vote yes to the MOU about ER days. I voted no, because as much as I want a raise, I do not agree with taking away the early release days that our students look forward to. Especially in elementary, it is almost like a reinforcement reward to have those days. I think it was very sneaky and disheartening to group the two votes together. Also, there was no community input on this calendar change just to end the semester before the holiday break. Did you survey parents to get their opinions? Do better Broward.