From: Lucy Calkins [lucy@readingandwritingproject.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 8:09 AM
To: Lucy Calkins
Subject: Inviting You Onto a New Site: ELAfeedback.com

Colleagues,

We have launched a site (http://elafeedback.com (https://mail.greatneck.k12.ny.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=lZotPSCjAEmH6Xmz2...)) on which teachers,
principals and parents can converse about observations and insights
from having experienced the new ELA firsthand. This year's test is a
window onto what test-makers and policy makers propose for an entire
new generation of tests. And those tests (which are still open to
major revision) will change the face of curriculum, of schools, of
childhood, of reading and of writing. Although some people are
probably making you think that you can't talk about the test, the
truth is that the people closest to youngsters and most knowledgeable
about schooling--you and others like you--must talk about the test. It
is easy to do so in ways that don't violate any test-security concerns
(don't cite specific test items or passages).

You are the "researcher" with the most crucial data in hand, and your
insights are critical. Details and concrete specifics will help. How
long did it take kids to read the directions? Which sections seemed to
especially set kids off? What could have helped? What do you think
will happen to the teaching of reading if this test sets the pattern
for test in the future to come? How will you suggest alter instruction
based on what you saw? Will that improve teaching and learning? What
are your overall thoughts?

The insights and information here will be shared with test makers and
policy leaders. We will monitor the site so that we delete any
inadvertent detail writes that isn't considered ok by the state. We'll
be adding tech improvements to the site soon.

You need not include your name (and we understand some of you feel
that you cannot).  But I encourage you to sign your name as anonymous
entries are far less trusted than those written by someone who is
willing to 'stand and be counted.' We encourage you to share this with
one and all.

Thanks for your engagement on behalf of kids.

Lucy Calkins
Robinson Professor of Literacy, Teachers College
Director, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project