Parents hit the streets to protest high-stakes testing

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Groups of frustrated parents and teachers are hitting the streets of Lee County to protest what they call a “toxic” and “broken” state testing system.

It’s part of a statewide campaign called “Assess the Test.”

Protestors gathered at the corner of Veterans Parkway and Country Club Boulevard Tuesday evening.

Other groups rallied in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.

Protestors believe the state’s high-stakes testing system is hurting both students and teachers.

They say too much taxpayer money is being spent on the testing, and students are spending too much time taking these tests.

“It’s also driving teachers into the ground because teachers are losing. They are basically feeling like ‘I’m showing up to work, to drill stuff into kids heads so that they can pass these tests,’ as  opposed to trying to light a fire in these children, to give them a love of learning,” said Mark Castellano with the Teachers Association of Lee County.

In response to these rallies, the Lee County School District said:

“We understand the frustration expressed by the teachers and parents and we will continue to work with our legislators to address this issue.”

The overall goal of the rallies is to raise awareness and persuade lawmakers to spark reform in the next legislative session which begins in March.