Rewind

TESTING LAW INSULTS ARKANSAS EDUCATORS

President Bill Clinton ran afoul of Arkansas educators in 1983 with an insulting initiative to force teachers to prove their literacy. A 1983 issue of the Educator says then Governor Clinton held state education funding hostage until the measure was approved over protests during a special session of the Arkansas legislature. The legislation brought an immediate howl of protest from teachers who “felt humiliated that after completing at least four years of college and being certified by the state to teach, that anyone would question their literacy... Morale took a nosedive as teachers struggled with the realization that they were the only teachers in the nation being singled out for “literacy testing.” Despite a better alternative proposal by AEA and repeated warnings by makers of the tests that were being inappropriately used in this instance, the legislature passed the Governor’s testing bill. Clinton’s actions led to a silent protest when he spoke at that years’ AEA representative assembly, as well as an NEA investigation into the tests and eventually a federal lawsuit. While pursuing legal strategies, AEA also developed a workshop program to help teachers prepare for the tests. In 1985, despite many issues with implementation and reporting, the testing was expanded to all certified staff. The program ended two years later with new requirements for continuing education allowing the state to stop requiring repeat tests.