OCA - GREATER SEATTLE CHAPTER
WA's Board of Education is not learning
Dear Letters to the Editor,
Since I was mentioned by journalist Robert Jamieson (Apr. 15), I must respond to his remarks on silkworm culinary tastes as referenced in this year's WASL.
The fact remains that this is the third time something has gone awry on a state developed, state vetted and state approved test.
On the first WASL, the answer to a math question was Le Tour Neau. When a parent made it known that she was offended, the state apologized, threw the question out, re-adjusted all student scores, and fired the question writer.
On the WLPT, required of all immigrants and given just ahead of the WASL, Asian parent ire at incorrect information and drawings on Chinese culture and language were treated quite differently. No apology; no questions tossed; no test scores adjusted, and certainly no test writer/artist firings.
And now it's happened again. Students and parents have pointed out offensive information about Chinese cuisine in the current WASL, but the state defends it, claiming Asians approved it. That is not the point.
I can't help but notice the extremely different state responses to the Le Tour Neau issue and the latter two incidents of Asian stereotyping. Could it be that when concerns are raised by immigrants and refugees, it's not as important?
Those are the things I would have said to Mr. Jamieson had he not, in his own haste to get into print, overlooked speaking with me.
Sincerely,
Betty Lau, education chair
Chong Wa Benevolent Association