None of the Above: The Untold Story of the Students Who Fought for the Right to Answer "None of the Above"

In 2000, a group of high school students in Washington state made national headlines when they refused to take a standardized test that they believed was biased and unfair. Their protest sparked a national debate about the role of standardized testing in education, and ultimately led to changes in the way that tests are developed and administered.

None of the Above tells the story of these students and their fight for the right to answer "none of the above." It is a story of courage, determination, and the power of young people to make a difference.

None of the Above: How the Unaffiliated are Redefining Religion and Keeping Faith

by Elie Mikhael Nasrallah

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1092 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	132 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Standardized Testing Problem

Standardized testing has become a ubiquitous part of American education. From the SATs and ACTs to state-mandated tests, students are constantly being tested. But what is the purpose of all this testing? And is it really the best way to measure student learning?

Critics of standardized testing argue that tests are often biased against certain groups of students, such as students from low-income families or students of color. They also argue that tests can be too narrow and that they do not measure the full range of skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in college and career.

The students in Washington state who refused to take the standardized test in 2000 were motivated by many of these same concerns. They believed that the test was biased against students from low-income families and that it did not measure the skills and knowledge that they had learned in school.

The Student Protest

In the spring of 2000, a group of high school students in the Seattle area decided to take a stand against standardized testing. They formed a group called "Students for Choice" and they began to organize a boycott of the state's standardized test, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).

The students' protest quickly gained national attention. They were featured in newspapers and magazines, and they were invited to speak at rallies and conferences. Their protest also inspired other students around the country to organize their own boycotts of standardized tests.

The students' protest was ultimately successful. In 2002, the Washington state legislature passed a law that allowed students to answer "none of the above" on standardized tests. This was a major victory for the students and for all those who believe that standardized testing is not the best way to measure student learning.

The Legacy of the Protest

The protest by the students in Washington state has had a lasting impact on education reform. It helped to raise awareness of the problems with standardized testing, and it led to changes in the way that tests are developed and administered.

Today, more and more states are allowing students to answer "none of the above" on standardized tests. This is a small but important step towards making standardized testing more fair and accurate.

The students who protested the WASL in 2000 are now adults. They are working in a variety of fields, but they all share a common bond: they are all passionate about education reform. They continue to speak out against the overuse of standardized testing, and they work to ensure that all students have access to a quality education.

None of the Above is a powerful and inspiring story about the power of young people to make a difference. It is a story that will resonate with anyone who cares about education reform.

If you are interested in learning more about the students who protested the WASL in 2000, I encourage you to read the book None of the Above. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

None of the Above: How the Unaffiliated are Redefining Religion and Keeping Faith

by Elie Mikhael Nasrallah

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1092 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	132 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE