Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Hey Strickland!  Trash the OGT!

Posted by Justin Jeffre

Dear Governor Strickland,

My name is Justin Jeffre, a multi-platinum recording artist and a Cincinnati media activist.  I read a few stories recently where you have questioned the Ohio Graduation Tests, so I thought you should know about some work I’ve been engaging concerning those same tests.

A few weeks ago, I filed a complaint to the Ohio Board of Education, alleging that the tests are “unfair” according to guidelines set forth in Ohio Administrative Code.  That complaint is active.

A short time later, I also submitted a letter of complaint to the Ohio Board of Regents.  It appears they are funding teacher training programs that technically bring educators into violation of Ohio law.

And finally, I have requested an investigation of Warrensville High School, since they also appear to be engaging in test preparation activities prohibited by Ohio’s test ethics laws.

Like you, I do not support this test, and I think we need to fix the broken funding system.  I was pleased to see you addressing that, too.  I want you to know about my active complaints, however, because they seek to shed light on the broken system surrounding the OGT, and they bolster the argument that the tests have failed and need to be eliminated.

Respectfully,

Justin P. Jeffre
Cincinnati, Ohio

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cincysuz says:
09 Apr 2008  at  05:17 pm | #

Why do you keep mentioning that you’re a multi-platinum recording artist? What does that have to do with this issue or any other outside of the music industry? You obviously expect that saying that you’re wealthy will show the governor that you’re not just a lowly citizen peon like the average non-platinum recording artist and deserve special consideration. Typical rich person. Flaunting their wealth (and fame??)to get at the head of the line. Kind of the way lobbyists operate.

anon says:
09 Apr 2008  at  09:06 pm | #

This letter proves why JJ is so oposed to the OGT - he couldn’t even pass it.

Yes, JJ, let’s trash the OGT and forfeit all the federal dollars that we get for complying with federal laws—great idea.

Once again, attacking the process not the problem and creating more problems while they’re at it

says:
09 Apr 2008  at  10:14 pm | #

You might want to point out to the Governor that he’s going to end up forfeiting all the federal dollars.  He is, after all, the guy in office who wants to get rid of it…

Or, wait, are you not making sense?

anon says:
10 Apr 2008  at  10:31 pm | #

He might WANT to get rid of it, but he can’t, so why is JJ asking him to “trash” it if he doesn’t understand that such knee jerk, careless thinking will lose the funding.  Stupid letter.

Just like “reporting” the school district for teaching test taking skills - greeaaatttt - the kids will alll flunk the test and not be able to go to college or get a diploma. 

All process no solution—think it through

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