Steven Singer on Standardizing Whiteness-by Diane Ravitch

"Standardized tests are normed on a bell curve. The bell curve never closes. They measure privilege. Their standard is whiteness and advantage."We say we want No child left behind! Then we pass a law named after that  sentiment that ensures some students MUST be left behind. We say we want every student to succeed; then we pass a law named after that very sentiment that ensures every student will NOT succeed.It would be absurd if not for the millions of children being forced to endure the harsh reality behind our pretty words. “It’s not these ideals that are the problem. It’s standardized testing.The corporate reformers love standardized testing. They treat the scores as sacred truths. The scores are the measure of success or failure, and that school choice will close the achievement gap., but the this gap will never close because it is a reflection of the measure. "