Updated: 10:15 PM CST Mar 2, 2021 KOCO Staff Standardized testing was put on the backburner last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.This year, Oklahoma students will put pencil to paper once again.“It’s particularly important this year as we’re really setting a new baseline for where our students are and where we’re going to grow from this point in the future years,” State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said.The call to continue with testing despite the challenges of the pandemic comes from the federal level. Hofmeister said the spring assessments evaluate all students, including those from underserved communities or those in special circumstances.But the topic of testing comes with some criticism.“Here it is, coming in at the end of the year when we’re finally able to sustain some in-person learning,” said Shawna Mott-Wright, president of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association. “That’s not diagnostic. That’s not going to make sense
Educators Ask For COVID-19 Vaccine Priority In Joint Statement
Tulsa Public schools and the educator’s association sent out a news release asking the state to prioritize Tulsa public teachers for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The statement asks for the prioritization for educators and team members to get the vaccine.
Right now, only teachers and staff over 65 are eligible for the vaccine.
“We’re not seeking to prioritize our team members who have other health risks above other Oklahomans, but rather to allow us that when vaccinations are available that we are able to start to vaccinate those members of our team who have health risks, and at the same time are serving every single day on the front lines, said Dr. Deborah Gist, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent.
Tulsa Classroom Teachers Union Pushes For Work-From-Home Option
Working from the classroom or home should be an option for teachers, according to the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Union.
TPS leaders said their teachers work the best from their classrooms, even though those classrooms are empty right now because students are learning from home. The teacher s union said some teachers prefer to choose.
Shawna Mott-Wright is the President of Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association and said with COVID-19 numbers rising, both in the district and across the state, many teachers said they want to work from home. If I can give them my best from my home, why then do you cause unnecessary anxiety by forcing me to teach from somewhere else? Mott-Wright said.