Hopefully everyone is enjoying summer. Seems that the TDOE is relying on the "summer slide". My previous update was an alert that the Department of Education is wasting over 18 million to "score" the 2015-16 TNReady tests. Just days later they announced that they have awarded a 10 million dollar contract to develop an OPTIONAL K-2 test. I can reassure the TDOE that the leadership in my district would not support an optional test for small children. So why are they spending that kind of money on an optional test? As far as the appropriateness, I could not stomach how much time my 8 year old was required to test last year. So I am beyond alarmed at what they would ask of a 5 year old. I am required to attend core modules with the state's school board association. I leave tomorrow for a day long training based in School Finance. The irony is too much. How can I be expected to be a good steward of my community's investment in our schools, when the DOE is wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on useless and inappropriate tests and is unwilling to answer requests for reasonable and cost-effective testing. If you are a concerned parent, a discouraged teacher, or a frustrated taxpayer......please use your voice and your vote. Please call the superintendent for your schools to find out what they are doing to work for a resolution to this mess. Please contact the senators and respresentatives for your area. If your legislators do not share your level of concern, ask for an explanation of their understanding of testing in TN. If they are up for re-election, voice your expectations for true accountability for the TDOE and their over-testing and over-spending! If there are new candidates in your area, please ask them about their thoughts about testing in our state. Please make your voices heard strongly these next few days. Do not allow the TN Dept. of Education to continue to ignore parents, teachers, and tax payers. We need those responsible parties to address this outrageous spending and disregard for children's needs.