This letter is basically pointing out how backwards our school system has been since NCLB imposed federal mandates for invalid outcome-based measurements centered around testing.

As an inner city teacher, I see how this system ends up with the most in-need schools being deprived the most. Education experts know bubble tests have been a costly fraud, narrowing education and enriching privatizers as learning gaps only increased.

The teachers in real classrooms know we need more wraparound services for kids not ready to learn and more local autonomy. Democrats and Republicans are far too involved in education at the federal level because they are directed by campaign donors who seek to exploit education budgets. This is a time for change but the greatest change needed is getting money out of politics and getting out of the way of the proven educators who know the community.