Pearson PR Backfires. Education Publisher Accused of Censorship and Propaganda

[proud2BlibKansan]

Educators, parents, and education activists from around the country cried foul as Pearson, the largest private provider of education-related products and services, blocked educators from voicing their opinion on Pearson’s new website, Parents, Kids, and Testing. The site was part of a campaign created by Pearson to offset its growing wave of negative publicity. It featured links to articles that praised the new focus on testing-centered -curriculum and evaluation, and invited public comment.

However, educators quickly complained that comments that failed to fully endorse Pearson were immediately removed from the site, with many posters being barred completely.

Within hours, social media sites buzzed with the battle that was taking place. One website stated, “Pearson advertises itself as the ‘world’s leading learning company’. However, this week the publishing giant became known by far less flattering names: censor, bully, propagandist, child laborer, enemy of education, and corporate profiteer.” Educators from other groups labeled the site and the linked articles as tools of propaganda, designed to fool parents and silence objectors.

Pearson had recently been under-fire for its high stakes tests, test prep materials, and other ed -reform activities and was the subject of a national boycott lead by United Opt Out.

more . . .http://www.free-press-release.com/news-pearson-pr-backfires-education-publisher-accused-of-censorship-and-propaganda-1339291024.html

[DLnyc]

1. Pearson perverts the educational process

They sell software for students to work math problems online. But while computer programs may be okay for testing certain mechanical math skills, most of the knowledge and attitude necessary for developing good math skills cannot be easily tested by a computer program. So naturally Pearson wants to equate math learning with test preparation, since that is the only skill that they could arguably help develop.

I have experience teaching remedial math with Pearson technology. I can say with confidence that my students would have been much better off with a reasonably priced (used) book and time focused on actually understanding the math they were doing. Instead, thanks to Pearson, they spent huge amounts of time practicing random 'tricks' on the computer in preparation for a test that basically measures how well students can prepare for a test.

[mbperrin]

2. Yes, all Texas tests are Pearson, and when I teach sophomores or juniors, I take 12 weeks out

and teach them test-taking skills only. That leaves me 24 weeks of real instruction.

I have a lifetime average of 98% passing for my students over the last 16 years.

It's a waste of 12 weeks, except that the students must pass to graduate, so we serve them ill to not get them over it.

Meanwhile, I do hope there's a place in hell for the politicians and others who put this weight on students.

[Hangingon]

3. The Texas TEA tests prepared by Pearson follow the TEKS

Last edited Mon Jun 11, 2012, 03:04 PM - Edit history (1)

12 weeks seems an inordinate amount of time on test prep. I would think your students would be better served by teaching the curriculum.