Thank you Doug. You've hit the nail on it's head. I teach in California, and here all children these days are mainstreamed unless they are of the group of children you were working with the children with Autism and other differences from those children who would be included in a regular ed classroom. I want to thank you for being the first of teachers to just say no. I'm not in the financial position to do this or I would. Thanks again for posting this video. I'm proud of your integrity.
This one, unknown teacher is the everyman special ed teacher who just wants to have the freedom to do his job as best as he can without being crippled by absurd mandates. Bravo.
****UPDATE***** After being fired (contract not renewed), I ended up in Asheville at Artspace charter school. It is a long trip (61 miles one way), but it is worth it-a much more positive and open setting!!!!
Must have been a rough ride - though - stood my ground on things before, it can take it out of you when you are up against beaurocracy, plonkers etc (plonkers covers quite a lot.... more than my jobs worth type people, the "bell" but want straight line people - you know who I mean) - fair play to you - good luck in your future.
I applaud your concerns with testing in NC. I agree whole heartedly. Remember the NCLB policies and other educational policies throughout the past several decades stemmed from The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, so there is where the beast of testing began, with L. B. Johnson. I believe this continued change in testing in NC (as I KNOW you are aware of) is all about $, and I'm sad to say that I believe this $ problem will continue for years to come. Our kids pay the price :(
Thank you for your film and your courage. Our autistic son has skills and gifts that no standardized test can possibly measure, many of which are of a spiritual nature. We opt him out of testing every year by writing a letter to the principal. Parents in California have that right, but few use that power. More need to. By the way, we are both public school teachers who have signed the online petition to eliminate NCLB at the Educator Roundtable website.
Im Paul Gross in the eighth grade at CVS. It's a shame that patient, understanding guy has to get fired for standing up for what he beleives in. You make great points in the video, especially about the sprituality part. Good luck in your future Doug. Nice shirt by the way, "why can't we be, what we wanna be?". Peace.
I applaud you! As a teacher in a SAC class in North Carolina, I feel your pain. And I agree 100% with everything you said! I admire you for standing up against the government that has no clue what we do everyday!
As a person with a family full of educators I hear this view from them all the time. I applaud your stance and support you 100% in being the voice for these and all students. I work with children with autism and I worry about the treatment of these students, and how this testing short changes what they do well everyday. Good luck and if you continue pushing forward you have my support.
Go Doug. You inspire. Your message is so true. You'd think the politicos, standardistos, and NCLBers would understand this basic mathematical concept. Thank goodness for brave teachers like you.
Doug is a dedicated teacher who works hard to create inclusion experiences for his students. My son with autism is not in Doug's class, but will take the Extend1 EOG and fail. He has made amazing progress this year thanks to his teachers at CVS. No standardized test measures the value of my son's inclusion in his regular classroom,the friendships he's made or the compassion his classmates have learned. I want my child LEFT BEHIND to learn and progress at his own pace. You Go, Doug!!
This is fantastic! Those of us involved in the field, both as professionals and family members, really appreciate your voice. Congrats on making the Jackson Co paper too.
The IEP team I met with today in a near by county was also discussing the video and your views on testing. Well done indeed!
I am so proud of you. Sometimes the boat needs rocking and you were brave enough to rock it. Our Federal government is more interested in numbers than in what is important, Helping our kids.
It will be a shame if they loose a teacher that really cares about the kids. But the stupidity of these test needs to be brought to the public's attention.
Whoever came up with these test probably hasn't got a clue the amount of work and commintment it takes to help these kids.
Thank you for expplaining how this testing works. My cousin is autistic and while he cannot do some simple tasks, he continues to teach me new things everyday. Every child is different. Thank you for standing up for children and pointing out the hypocrisy of no child left behind.
For the teachers who think that testing is okay I say stand up and stop this abuse. The self-esteem damage is awful! How would you liked to be lumped together and then told you were different because you scored low. It is rediculous, unfair and sad. It's not fair and I applaud this teacher for speaking out and taking a stand. Just because we find one good reason to test does not mean the shoe fits for everyone.
have you spoken to any of your fellow teachers who may have given the test? I'm not necessarily in favor of testing our kids to death, but I have also seen teachers whose expectations of our students were so low that there was no expectation. I have been in ed. a long time, through the portfolio, etc. Teachers thought our kids couldn't do academics on the portfolio and they did. Maybe this test is not so bad, if it means our kids are exposed to more academics and learn. Look at the DPI samples..
while i applaud your passion for doing what is best for your students, what do you think posting this video to youtube has accomplished? Your students will now have to be administered this test by someone who may not be familiar to them, causing them unnecessary stress. They still have to take the test, even though you have "just said no". Would you not have accomplished more by contacting those federal officials for whom you have so much disdain and asking them to make changes to the system?
I tried the 'write your congressmen' route with both state and federal officials. But only response was from someone running for senate who lost in primary, so that was a dead end.
The "system" is a mess, but I think they are trying (meaning raising standards where they need to be raised). 'Free and Appropriate', by US federal court decision, simply means making 'reasonable gains', but NCLB implies something different. If you need a job, give me a call! 828-778-2378
i am proud to say that i know and understand you. you're one brave mo-fo. real and true to your very core. i thank you for all you've done and will continue to do, your students thank you and the government thanks you-they just don't know it yet. you are a force to be reckoned with. and one with the best of intentions.
Thank you for probably the best video production released for public viewing in quite some time. I resigned from my position with ECP because of the political b.s. on the national, state and local levels. It's all about the officials making their numbers look good no matter how they have to cheat to accomplish it. It's not at all about the fairness and wellbeing of kids with special needs.
I accidentally stumbled upon this clip through a local newspaper article. I totally applaud Doug in his decision. The wonderful creators of No Child Left Behind might get the message quicker if more people had his courage.
Update: I was suspended with pay this afternoon and had to clear out all my stuff. Basically, I have a couple days to resign or else I will be terminated....insubordanation and something about being a disruptive influence in school. No hard feelings with school or school district, I knew what was coming!
Great Job Doug! As a teacher who left the field for the same reasons (and now is a case manager you know), I appreciate your taking a stand against the stupidity of adults who do not have a clue about the people we serve. Keep up the good work.
I'm glad your doing this. (haha Hi Aly its Carly lol) But I think this is a great video, and something important that people should stand up for. WTG Doug.
I can't post this site because youtube won't let me, so I've giving you code...
h**p (and the stuff after it) wh (period) gov (period) forward slash krE
sign it....I need 25,000 signatures by Feb 29 2012
dlainereads 4 weeks ago
Doug, I invite you to write about this for Rethinking Schools magazine. Thanks for your commitment to education.
maestramars 6 months ago
Thank you Doug. You've hit the nail on it's head. I teach in California, and here all children these days are mainstreamed unless they are of the group of children you were working with the children with Autism and other differences from those children who would be included in a regular ed classroom. I want to thank you for being the first of teachers to just say no. I'm not in the financial position to do this or I would. Thanks again for posting this video. I'm proud of your integrity.
Elin48 10 months ago
Comment removed
luvecu2002 2 years ago
This one, unknown teacher is the everyman special ed teacher who just wants to have the freedom to do his job as best as he can without being crippled by absurd mandates. Bravo.
LG901 2 years ago
@LG901 you are absolutely correct.
Elin48 10 months ago
RIGHT ON DUDE
MONIQUEIJ 2 years ago
Testing?
drtgreatwhites 2 years ago
****UPDATE***** After being fired (contract not renewed), I ended up in Asheville at Artspace charter school. It is a long trip (61 miles one way), but it is worth it-a much more positive and open setting!!!!
dug1111dug 3 years ago
You rock. What happened with your job?
DystopianFuture2day 3 years ago
Must have been a rough ride - though - stood my ground on things before, it can take it out of you when you are up against beaurocracy, plonkers etc (plonkers covers quite a lot.... more than my jobs worth type people, the "bell" but want straight line people - you know who I mean) - fair play to you - good luck in your future.
Shesnoin 3 years ago
Way to go, Doug. As a former Special Ed teacher, I HEAR YA! Good for you! I wish you the best...
Thanks for having the courage to do this.
jaam4eva 3 years ago 2
Way to go Doug. I am an old friend of your Mom and she sent me your link -- great video and I too applaud your principled stance.
jeantemple 3 years ago
Great job Doug! The exact reason the federal government has no business in education. I applaud your courage sir!
oneyankeesfan 3 years ago
I applaud your concerns with testing in NC. I agree whole heartedly. Remember the NCLB policies and other educational policies throughout the past several decades stemmed from The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, so there is where the beast of testing began, with L. B. Johnson. I believe this continued change in testing in NC (as I KNOW you are aware of) is all about $, and I'm sad to say that I believe this $ problem will continue for years to come. Our kids pay the price :(
appguy32 3 years ago
Thank you for your film and your courage. Our autistic son has skills and gifts that no standardized test can possibly measure, many of which are of a spiritual nature. We opt him out of testing every year by writing a letter to the principal. Parents in California have that right, but few use that power. More need to. By the way, we are both public school teachers who have signed the online petition to eliminate NCLB at the Educator Roundtable website.
japansa 3 years ago
Im Paul Gross in the eighth grade at CVS. It's a shame that patient, understanding guy has to get fired for standing up for what he beleives in. You make great points in the video, especially about the sprituality part. Good luck in your future Doug. Nice shirt by the way, "why can't we be, what we wanna be?". Peace.
Jackyboyu 3 years ago 5
I applaud you! As a teacher in a SAC class in North Carolina, I feel your pain. And I agree 100% with everything you said! I admire you for standing up against the government that has no clue what we do everyday!
japinti 3 years ago
that's scary, I say screw the feds
1aceofspades 3 years ago
As a person with a family full of educators I hear this view from them all the time. I applaud your stance and support you 100% in being the voice for these and all students. I work with children with autism and I worry about the treatment of these students, and how this testing short changes what they do well everyday. Good luck and if you continue pushing forward you have my support.
bmbkodi 3 years ago
Go Doug. You inspire. Your message is so true. You'd think the politicos, standardistos, and NCLBers would understand this basic mathematical concept. Thank goodness for brave teachers like you.
Yvonne Siu-Runyan, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
favoritefoods 3 years ago
Go Doug!!!! You inspire.
Yvonne Siu-Runyan, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
favoritefoods 3 years ago 4
Doug is a dedicated teacher who works hard to create inclusion experiences for his students. My son with autism is not in Doug's class, but will take the Extend1 EOG and fail. He has made amazing progress this year thanks to his teachers at CVS. No standardized test measures the value of my son's inclusion in his regular classroom,the friendships he's made or the compassion his classmates have learned. I want my child LEFT BEHIND to learn and progress at his own pace. You Go, Doug!!
psugirl89 3 years ago 2
This is fantastic! Those of us involved in the field, both as professionals and family members, really appreciate your voice. Congrats on making the Jackson Co paper too.
The IEP team I met with today in a near by county was also discussing the video and your views on testing. Well done indeed!
specialneedsadvocate 3 years ago 2
Excellent explaination. Your compassion for and understanding of your students should be rewarded, not punished.
afittenglenn 3 years ago 2
Doug,
I am so proud of you. Sometimes the boat needs rocking and you were brave enough to rock it. Our Federal government is more interested in numbers than in what is important, Helping our kids.
It will be a shame if they loose a teacher that really cares about the kids. But the stupidity of these test needs to be brought to the public's attention.
Whoever came up with these test probably hasn't got a clue the amount of work and commintment it takes to help these kids.
BRAVO !!!!!!!
justsixkids444 3 years ago 2
Albert Einstein said, "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." It's true.
nikola420 3 years ago 2
Thank you for expplaining how this testing works. My cousin is autistic and while he cannot do some simple tasks, he continues to teach me new things everyday. Every child is different. Thank you for standing up for children and pointing out the hypocrisy of no child left behind.
nikola420 3 years ago
Hey Dug, I forwarded all of it to others in the field, and to NEA. Asked everyone to keep forwarding it.
JoieDee 3 years ago
For the teachers who think that testing is okay I say stand up and stop this abuse. The self-esteem damage is awful! How would you liked to be lumped together and then told you were different because you scored low. It is rediculous, unfair and sad. It's not fair and I applaud this teacher for speaking out and taking a stand. Just because we find one good reason to test does not mean the shoe fits for everyone.
gassjdutube 3 years ago
have you spoken to any of your fellow teachers who may have given the test? I'm not necessarily in favor of testing our kids to death, but I have also seen teachers whose expectations of our students were so low that there was no expectation. I have been in ed. a long time, through the portfolio, etc. Teachers thought our kids couldn't do academics on the portfolio and they did. Maybe this test is not so bad, if it means our kids are exposed to more academics and learn. Look at the DPI samples..
ladybugg1122 3 years ago
while i applaud your passion for doing what is best for your students, what do you think posting this video to youtube has accomplished? Your students will now have to be administered this test by someone who may not be familiar to them, causing them unnecessary stress. They still have to take the test, even though you have "just said no". Would you not have accomplished more by contacting those federal officials for whom you have so much disdain and asking them to make changes to the system?
ladybugg1122 3 years ago
I tried the 'write your congressmen' route with both state and federal officials. But only response was from someone running for senate who lost in primary, so that was a dead end.
dug1111dug 3 years ago
Hi Dug--
The "system" is a mess, but I think they are trying (meaning raising standards where they need to be raised). 'Free and Appropriate', by US federal court decision, simply means making 'reasonable gains', but NCLB implies something different. If you need a job, give me a call! 828-778-2378
Caroline in Asheville.
beatauti 3 years ago
i am proud to say that i know and understand you. you're one brave mo-fo. real and true to your very core. i thank you for all you've done and will continue to do, your students thank you and the government thanks you-they just don't know it yet. you are a force to be reckoned with. and one with the best of intentions.
ishkabibble7799 3 years ago
5th grade teacher in Buncombe County here. I am going to make a sign for my door this EOG session that reads: DISTURBING DO NOT TEST
palindrome414 3 years ago
I just hope that after November we will not need to worry about all the bs and you will get a job that loves your passion.
frogyspond 3 years ago
Thank you for probably the best video production released for public viewing in quite some time. I resigned from my position with ECP because of the political b.s. on the national, state and local levels. It's all about the officials making their numbers look good no matter how they have to cheat to accomplish it. It's not at all about the fairness and wellbeing of kids with special needs.
mountainheel1 3 years ago
I accidentally stumbled upon this clip through a local newspaper article. I totally applaud Doug in his decision. The wonderful creators of No Child Left Behind might get the message quicker if more people had his courage.
momjulio2 3 years ago
Update: I was suspended with pay this afternoon and had to clear out all my stuff. Basically, I have a couple days to resign or else I will be terminated....insubordanation and something about being a disruptive influence in school. No hard feelings with school or school district, I knew what was coming!
dug1111dug 3 years ago
sorry
thebiassed123 3 years ago
Great Job Doug! As a teacher who left the field for the same reasons (and now is a case manager you know), I appreciate your taking a stand against the stupidity of adults who do not have a clue about the people we serve. Keep up the good work.
janicegael 3 years ago
WTG Dug! We're with you all the way. I sure do miss that 11 year old, hope he's doing well. Dee says she's against all standardized testing.
JoieDee 3 years ago
I'm glad your doing this. (haha Hi Aly its Carly lol) But I think this is a great video, and something important that people should stand up for. WTG Doug.
benchseat123 3 years ago
A brave, cogent, and principled stand. Please share and comment on Doug's video.
natekarle 3 years ago
right on.
alyiskrazy 3 years ago