My Letter to the State Board of Education

Administering the SAT test to all children is probably the most egregious attack on public education I have witnessed. These tests were designed as an entrance exam to a 4-year college; they were meant for the roughly 20-35% of students who wish to pursue a 4-year degree. What will this do for students with learning disabilities?  Why is this necessary for students who wish to pursue a 2-year degree from a technical school? How does this help the student who attends Anthis or any other career education center for a license in cosmetology, certification as a CNA, welder, computer repairperson, or any other program that trains students to enter the world of work immediately after high school?
 
Research shows that only 20-35% of jobs require a 4-year college degree or beyond. So why must we subject roughly 70% of our students to taking a test that is unnecessary for their career goals and objectives? Why must we grade our schools on a test in which 70% of our students have no stake? 
 
I am a parent of three public school children who have had an amazing education in Fort Wayne Community Schools. Although the proposed accountability measures will not affect my children directly, they WILL affect hundreds of children succeeding them as well the community in which I live and have raised my children.  I implore you to re-consider using a test that has little or no value to many of the children forced to take it