PubliCalendar
PubliCalendar: Why Another Forum on Education Reform Matters!
Today's picks for civic nerds
Meet the face of red tape in education. Photo by Josh Davis
For Today
The Perils of Standardized Testing
Seattle's recently-passed universal pre-k measure came with a polarizing caveat: the implementation of standardized testing. While proponents of standardized tests would argue that they are a viable way to gauge an institutions effectivness, many people believe that they are exactly the kind of catch-all bureaucracy that clogs progress.NPR's Anya Kamenetz believes standardized tests get in the way of actual learning. Her book The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing–But You Don’t Have to Be looks into the ways in which these policies miss the point of education, and only succeed in putting more pressure on students and institutions alike.
By the way. We get it. We get it. Standardized testing sucks.
So, I asked Town Hall Curator of Community Programs Edward Wolcher what the point was of throwing yet another dart at the evil face of education bureaucracy?
Wolcher told me: "I think what Kamenetz's book is doing in a really smart way is connecting the larger conversation about reform to a student movement demanding that schools look at how they address their needs. There will be students tonight at the program who participated in walkouts throughout the city."
The Perils of Standardized Testing, Tue, Jan 20, 7:30pm, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, $5
For Wednesday
South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce Awards Breakfast
South Lake Union is not just the silicon, drone-patrolled mount on top of which Jeff Bezos dictates zoning policy. The SLU Chamber of Commerce is also filled with small businesses and working professionals doing great work to build and sustain their community.
The chamber will honor such individuals at their annual awards breakfast, where awards for Excellence in Business, Volunteer of the Year, Retailer of the Year, and Non-Profit of the Year will be handed out.
South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce Awards Breakfast, Wed, Jan 21, 7:30am, SpringHill Suites
1800 Yale Ave, $45
1800 Yale Ave, $45
Advance Notice for February 6
Application Deadline for 'The Moth: Home Lost and Found'
The Moth offers an invaluable stage for people to tell their stories. The Moth Radio Hour and various other performances throughout the nation have showcased dynamic, funny, heartbreaking personal testimony in topics ranging from gender identity to video games.
The Moth: Home Lost and Found is a Seattle University project that invites those who have dealt with family homelessness to share their story. The hope is to illuminate the public on the real struggles and dispel misconceptions.
Accepted applicants will be coached on how to tell their five-minute story live.
Application Deadline for 'The Moth: Home Lost and Found,' Fri, Feb 6, Various Locations, Free
Want to see your nerdy event featured on the PubliCalendar?
Send the details to Darren Davis at [email protected]
