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Teachers Warn That High-stakes Tests Will Worsen Student Engagement and Fail to Broaden Curriculum - NEU Survey
LONDON, England, Nov. 25 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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Teachers warn that high-stakes tests will worsen student engagement and fail to broaden curriculum - NEU survey
A new online survey of members of the National Education Union reveals fears that the government's commitment to keep in place all current primary tests, as well as adding a statutory reading test in Year 8, will narrow the curriculum and worsen student wellbeing.
The snapshot survey of 1,136 teachers in primary and secondary settings was conducted on 10 November, just days after the
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LONDON, England, Nov. 25 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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Teachers warn that high-stakes tests will worsen student engagement and fail to broaden curriculum - NEU survey
A new online survey of members of the National Education Union reveals fears that the government's commitment to keep in place all current primary tests, as well as adding a statutory reading test in Year 8, will narrow the curriculum and worsen student wellbeing.
The snapshot survey of 1,136 teachers in primary and secondary settings was conducted on 10 November, just days after thepublication of Building a world-class curriculum for all, the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR). The Department for Education (DfE) has broadly accepted its recommendations.
The NEU member survey found:
* 75 per cent of primary school teachers who responded believe that keeping all statutory assessments will worsen student engagement and wellbeing;
* Over half (56 per cent) believe that the decision to keep all statutory assessment in primary schools will further narrow the curriculum. Just 4 per cent believe it will help to broaden the curriculum.
* A large majority of primary respondents (86 per cent) said that SATs worsen student engagement. Hardly any (1.4 per cent) agreed that Year 6 SATs support a broad and balanced curriculum.
* Three fifths of secondary teacher respondents (60 per cent) believe that the newly announced Year 8 reading test will reduce the time available in the curriculum for other subjects, thus narrowing it further.
* 60 per cent of secondary teachers responding to the survey also told us that an increased reliance on exam-only assessment will fail to reflect what students are capable of.
The results cast doubt over whether the government's focus on testing, which goes further than the Review's recommendations, is compatible with the asserted aim of a "broad and balanced curriculum." It is clear to the profession that the primary assessment system is damaging and counterproductive for learning, and that a new test in Year 8 will undermine any efforts to broaden the secondary curriculum.
Primary Schools
NEU teacher members were asked about the government decision to retain all statutory assessments in primary schools. Members who work in this phase answered a series of questions.
What effect do you think this will have on the curriculum?
It will broaden the curriculum ... 4%
It will narrow the curriculum ... 56%
No change ... 40%
Respondents see little to no prospect of the curriculum benefiting from the decision to retain all tests. One told us, "I have seen how detrimental formal assessments can be for some pupils. I have also seen the pressure SATs put on hard working, highly skilled educators. Consequently, the pressure of SATs outcomes has narrowed the curriculum, due to the pressure of assessment outcomes. This is especially prevalent in schools within socio-economic deprived areas and impacts on some of the most vulnerable pupils!"
This comment was well supported by the findings of the next question:
What effect do you think this will have on student wellbeing and engagement?
It will improve wellbeing and engagement ... 2%
It will worsen wellbeing and engagement ... 75%
No change ... 24%
This was particularly acute for respondents who work in schools in areas with the highest levels of deprivation, where 83 per cent felt that wellbeing and engagement would worsen. One despaired that "an opportunity to make the curriculum less onerous on children and more engaging is [being] squandered."
For the next question, primary school members were reminded that the government has now committed to keeping SATs in place. In the form of a multiple-choice question, they were asked
What impact do you think SATs have on your students?
They damage attainment 56%
They improve wellbeing and engagement 0.4%
They narrow the curriculum 81%
They support a broad and balanced curriculum 1.4%
They support attainment 12%
They worsen wellbeing and engagement 86%
Startlingly few respondents (0.4 per cent) held the opinion that SATs in primary schools improve wellbeing and engagement. One respondent spoke of their disappointment that the DfE was "continuing to invest in high-stakes testing when we know how inaccurate it is and when we're dealing with unprecedented levels of mental health difficulties in children." Another added: "There are better ways to assess the children, across a breadth of the curriculum without impacting other subjects or their emotional wellbeing in the process."
Secondary Schools
The Curriculum and Assessment review recommended non-statutory diagnostic assessment of English and Maths skills in Year 8. However, the government went further than the recommendations of the CAR's final report by opting to make the reading test statutory.
As part of our snapshot survey, members working in secondary schools were asked about the government's decision to introduce a reading assessment for Year 8 students.
What impact will this have on the curriculum?
It will increase curriculum time for other subjects 5%
It will reduce curriculum time for other subjects 60%
No change 35%
One respondent told us that, in their view, "Introducing reading assessments at Year 8 will be incredibly damaging. Teachers continually assess progress and already know where the gaps are." Another warned that "Teaching to a Year 8 test will sap any joy out of reading for children who are at the age where that becomes a problem."
Generations of teachers are familiar with the role statutory assessments play in school life; that they exist not to support attainment or progress, but to support accountability. One told us that the government's priorities were in the wrong place: "Reading is already being stifled because of the limited texts offered at GCSE - we need to expand the curriculum offer to be more inclusive and reflective of our students."
Secondary members were then asked about the government's intention to decrease exam time by 2.5 to 3 hours, while still being reliant solely on exam-only assessment.
Do you think your students will be able to demonstrate what they're capable of?
No impact 12%
Students will be able to fully show what they are capable of 28%
Students will not be able to show all they're capable of 60%
Once more, this reflected significant concern that the government was failing to meet the challenge of ensuring that students' abilities are accurately captured. Several told us, "Bring back coursework for core subjects." One added, "Terminal exams are hopelessly ineffective ways to measure actual skill and attainment." Another bemoaned that government reforms were "all about outcomes, as usual, rather than the whole child!"
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Broadening the curriculum matters. A top-down 'exam factory' culture and a stifling curriculum have, up to now, resulted in high rates of mental ill-health among young people, the choice of subjects at secondary being reduced, and a level of disengagement that can lead to classroom disruption and truancy.
"The Curriculum and Assessment Review was an opportunity to address the elephant in the room. Scrapping the EBacc, improving representation across the curriculum, and addressing over-crammed curriculum content are all positive steps towards that goal.
"Sadly, the panel's work was undermined by a government intent on sticking with the tried and over-tested. In March it pre-empted the Review's conclusions by indicating it would keep all statutory primary assessments. In putting its thumb on the scale, the government blew the opportunity to re-set education and eradicate the mistakes and tick-box obsessions of past governments.
"There is still time to change approach. Government must stop, look and listen. If they are serious about young people and unleashing opportunity, then that starts with the curriculum. It is clear that the current strategy of yet more assessment will do nothing to broaden the curriculum. This is the very opposite of what parents and the profession want to see.
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/teachers-warn-high-stakes-tests-will-worsen-student-engagement-and-fail-broaden-curriculum-neu
[Category: Union]
SEIU President Verrett Calls on Airline Charter CEOs to Stop Profiting From ICE Deportations
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Service Employees International Union issued the following news release:
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SEIU President Verrett Calls on Airline Charter CEOs to Stop Profiting from ICE Deportations
Letter to Airline CEOs Demands Companies Sever Contracts with ICE Air as Trump Administration Leads Campaign of Terror Against Immigrant Communities
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April Verrett, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), today called on four major charter airlines to end their contracts with ICE and stop profiting from the Trump administration's cruel and inhumane immigration policies. In letters
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 -- The Service Employees International Union issued the following news release:
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SEIU President Verrett Calls on Airline Charter CEOs to Stop Profiting from ICE Deportations
Letter to Airline CEOs Demands Companies Sever Contracts with ICE Air as Trump Administration Leads Campaign of Terror Against Immigrant Communities
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April Verrett, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), today called on four major charter airlines to end their contracts with ICE and stop profiting from the Trump administration's cruel and inhumane immigration policies. In letterssent to the CEOs of Avelo Airlines, Global X, Eastern Airlines, and Omni Air International, Verrett denounced the companies' role in separating immigrant families and demanded the airlines they run immediately sever contracts with ICE Air, the agency's air transportation arm.
Across the country, families and communities are being torn apart as ICE conducts raids that target people based on their skin color, language, workplace or neighborhood. Masked agents have detained and deported thousands, often without due process. Most of these deportation flights are operated by the four charter airlines.
In the letter to the airline CEOs, Verrett writes, "Terrorizing essential workers, families and entire communities is antithetical to responsible business practices, and it is also bad for business and the U.S. economy. Whether from a moral, legal, or economic standpoint, the bottom line is: it's time for businesses to sever contracts with ICE Air."
The letter is part of SEIU's "De-ICE These Flights" campaign to protect immigrant workers and defend the constitutional rights of all working people. Nearly 10,000 SEIU members and allies have already signed the campaign's online petition demanding the four charter airlines end contracts for ICE deportation flights.
SEIU's campaign aims to educate institutional investors holding a stake in these companies or their parent companies on the inherent financial risks of enabling deportations, which destabilize the U.S. economy by attacking an essential immigrant workforce. SEIU members and millions of working people are participants in retirement security plans that may be exposed to the risks to the economy posed by these practices.
Avelo Airlines, Global X, Eastern Airlines, and Omni Air International and other private corporations are making millions in profits from government contracts that enable Trump's deportation economy. On ICE deportation flights, immigrants are often shackled and subjected to abuse, including being denied access to air conditioning, toilets and the ability to protect themselves during an emergency if restrained.
SEIU represents 2 million service and care workers across the economy, including at colleges and universities, airports, hospitals, and federal, state, and local government agencies. The "De-ICE These Flights" campaign builds off SEIU's Solidarity Summer organizing earlier this year, which culminated in a Justice Journey in Louisiana that mobilized tens of thousands of workers, allies, and communities to defend immigrant communities and ensure all workers are treated with dignity and respect.
Full text of the letter is available here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F7jJJsQGk2B9QyuNYaQPDID8Cu4drQsv/view?usp=sharing).
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Andrew Levy, Chief Executive Officer
Avelo Airlines
Dear Mr. Levy:
On behalf of 2 million members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), I am writing to express our serious concern about Avelo's involvement in the Trump administration's cruel and inhumane ICE Air deportation flights. A copy of this letter is being sent to the leaders of Global X, Eastern Airlines and Omni Air International.
SEIU members work in essential service and care jobs, from airport cleaners and baggage handlers, to janitors and security officers, nurses and home care workers, public sector workers, and workers in higher education. Regardless of race or background, members are united in our commitment to creating a just and humane society where all workers can thrive.
Unfortunately, in communities across the nation, we have witnessed with horror as coworkers, family members, and neighbors - including legal residents and U.S. citizens - have been snatched from communities in aggressive ICE raids, often carried out with no regard for due process and often based on racial profiling. Adding to these harms, ICE deportation flights swiftly move immigrants between deportation centers in the U.S. and outside of the country, making it nearly impossible for them to access legal assistance. Aboard these flights, immigrants are often shackled and subjected to abuse, including no access to safety in case of emergencies, no A/C, and broken toilets.
Terrorizing essential workers, families and entire communities is antithetical to responsible business practices, and it is also bad for business and the U.S. economy. Whether from a moral, legal, or economic standpoint, the bottom line is: it's time for businesses to sever contracts with ICE Air.
To date, nearly 10,000 SEIU members and community allies have added their names to an online petition demanding that your companies cease operating these flights and profiteering from deportations. We will continue to educate colleges, universities and student athletes of the role that some charter flights play in ICE Air, so they can make more informed decisions about partnering with airlines that profit from deportations.
As an executive, you have the power to cut ties with ICE Air and stand with working people and families. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how the deportation crisis has impacted our members and communities and how your company can change course now.
Sincerely,
April Verrett
SEIU International President
CC:
Global X: Ryan O'Connor, CEO
Eastern Airlines: Brian Randow, CEO
Omni Air International: David Ray, President
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Original text here: https://www.seiu.org/2025/11/seiu-president-verrett-calls-on-airline-charter-ceos-to-stop-profiting-from-ice-deportations
[Category: Union]
This Week: Congress out, 'Crash the GAC' deadline approaches
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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This Week: Congress out, 'Crash the GAC' deadline approaches
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Congress is out this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will return next week with a full slate of hearings, including the postponed House Financial Services Committee hearing with testimony from federal financial regulators.
Young credit union professionals have until Monday, Dec. 1 to apply to "crash" the Governmental Affairs Conference 2026. Now in its 17th year, the Crash the GAC program will sponsor 55 young
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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This Week: Congress out, 'Crash the GAC' deadline approaches
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Congress is out this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will return next week with a full slate of hearings, including the postponed House Financial Services Committee hearing with testimony from federal financial regulators.
Young credit union professionals have until Monday, Dec. 1 to apply to "crash" the Governmental Affairs Conference 2026. Now in its 17th year, the Crash the GAC program will sponsor 55 youngprofessionals to attend GAC from March 1-5, in Washington, D.C.
The deadline is also open through Dec. 16 for NCUA's Community Development Revolving Loan Fund 2025 grant round, with award funds available in six categories.
Stay tuned to America's Credit Unions' news for additional updates on issues of importance to credit unions.
America's Credit Unions offices will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/week-congress-out-crash-gac-deadline-approaches
Simpson to Congress: Don't believe the banker lies
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Simpson to Congress: Don't believe the banker lies
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With bankers distorting the truth about credit unions, America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson wrote to Congressional offices Friday setting the record straight on credit unions, their not-for-profit tax status, and the widespread consumer support they receive.
"The recent 'survey' being touted by the bankers is nothing but another attempt to eliminate competition for the banks, which already control more than 90% of
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Simpson to Congress: Don't believe the banker lies
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With bankers distorting the truth about credit unions, America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson wrote to Congressional offices Friday setting the record straight on credit unions, their not-for-profit tax status, and the widespread consumer support they receive.
"The recent 'survey' being touted by the bankers is nothing but another attempt to eliminate competition for the banks, which already control more than 90% ofthe market. Credit unions, and their cooperative finance model, are essential to financial security and prosperity for millions of Americans across our country," Simpson wrote. "When given the real facts, consumers overwhelmingly support expanding access to credit unions and protecting their not-for-profit tax status."
Those facts include a 2025 national consumer poll that found:
* 64% of Americans support keeping credit unions' current tax status, which grows to 78% following exposure to messaging that explains how credit unions' not-for-profit status allows them to help small businesses and local economies grow;
* 79% agree Americans would be better off financially if more were to use credit unions than banks;
* 94% approve allowing credit unions to expand into more communities and provide more loans to small business; and
* 86% have interest in either doing more banking with or joining a credit union.
Simpson also noted that bank survey uses a poll filled with misinformation (including statements that credit unions pay no taxes), while including credit unions in the unregulated "nonbank" category.
America's Credit Unions will continue to engage policymakers with the data behind the credit union difference.
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/simpson-congress-dont-believe-banker-lies
Provide feedback on re-proposed 1071 rule
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Provide feedback on re-proposed 1071 rule
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Credit union stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the CFPB's proposal on certain small business lending data collection provisions of Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The proposal is highlighted in America's Credit Unions' latest Regulatory Comment alert and is a re-proposal of a final rule issued in 2023.
America's Credit Unions has vocally opposed the bureau's 2023 rule, as it would require credit unions to overhaul their
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Provide feedback on re-proposed 1071 rule
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Credit union stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the CFPB's proposal on certain small business lending data collection provisions of Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The proposal is highlighted in America's Credit Unions' latest Regulatory Comment alert and is a re-proposal of a final rule issued in 2023.
America's Credit Unions has vocally opposed the bureau's 2023 rule, as it would require credit unions to overhaul theirapplication systems, retrain staff, and ensure strict firewalls between loan officers and the new datacreating lending challenges for both lenders and small businesses.
The proposed rule would raise the origination threshold for covered financial institutions from 100 covered credit transactions to 1,000 over two consecutive years. It would also lower the gross annual revenue threshold defining a small business from $5 million to $1 million.
In addition, the proposal is seeking to limit data collection to the statutory 1071 data points and remove many discretionary data points, reducing complexity and focusing on essential data to ease compliance, as well as eliminate the previous system of tiered compliance dates in favor of a single, uniform compliance date. The compliance date for all covered financial institutions would be January 1, 2028.
The Regulatory Comment alert breaks down the proposal and provides questions to consider when providing feedback. Comments are due to America's Credit Unions by Dec. 8 and to the CFPB by Dec. 15.
View the Regulatory Comment
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/provide-feedback-re-proposed-1071-rule
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board Backs IAM Union's Record of Protecting Aviation Jobs in Hawaii
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, Nov. 24 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board Backs IAM Union's Record of Protecting Aviation Jobs in Hawaii
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HONOLULU - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board recently endorsed the IAM Union 's (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) history of protecting the local workforce in the Alaska-Hawaiian Merger and the upcoming Union representation vote in a recent opinion piece. The board also expressed
... Show Full Article
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, Nov. 24 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board Backs IAM Union's Record of Protecting Aviation Jobs in Hawaii
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HONOLULU - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board recently endorsed the IAM Union 's (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) history of protecting the local workforce in the Alaska-Hawaiian Merger and the upcoming Union representation vote in a recent opinion piece. The board also expressedstrong confidence in the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), highlighting the union's proven record of protecting aviation jobs across Hawaii.
The newspaper highlighted the critical choice facing Hawaii's skilled aviation workers following the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, with a union representation vote now underway. The decision, the editorial noted, will determine the future of local maintenance operations and whether those jobs remain in Hawai'i.
"When keeping good jobs in Hawaii is the priority, as it must be, IAM's record of nurturing and preserving a well-paid Hawaii workforce seems to offer an edge," wrote the Star-Advertiser Editorial Board.
The editorial recognized that the IAM, which has represented Hawaiian Airlines employees since 1951, has a "stake in defending jobs based in Hawaii." The union's broad membership includes aircraft mechanics, line service workers, cleaners, and logistics personnel. IAM's inclusive representation is credited with strengthening Hawai'i's economy by protecting the full spectrum of aviation-related work from outsourcing and job loss.
The IAM currently represents 2,550 ground workers and mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines and more than 5,100 ground workers at Alaska Airlines. The editorial noted that this broad scope provides a critical safeguard against the outsourcing of essential support roles that can erode worker pay and job security.
The Star-Advertiser Editorial Board raised concerns about the narrower classifications covered by AMFA and highlighted their lack of local history and a history of worker protections.
"This endorsement reinforces what we've known all along, the IAM is the best Union to protect Hawaii's future in aviation and to keep jobs, skills, and decisions right here at home," said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. "IAM has protected Hawaii's workforce for more than 70 years, and we'll continue fighting to ensure these are not just good jobs, but good jobs that stay in Hawaii."
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America's largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.
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Original text here: https://www.goiam.org/news/territories/transportation/honolulu-star-advertiser-editorial-board-backs-iam-unions-record-of-protecting-aviation-jobs-in-hawaii/
Credit unions must be authorized 'Trump Account' providers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Credit unions must be authorized 'Trump Account' providers
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It is imperative credit unions are authorized providers of the "Trump Accounts" created under the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1), America's Credit Unions wrote to the Treasury Department as it evaluates which financial institutions will offer accounts.
For children born on or between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, the federal government will provide an initial contribution of $1,000 to each child's Trump Account. Parents
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Credit unions must be authorized 'Trump Account' providers
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It is imperative credit unions are authorized providers of the "Trump Accounts" created under the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1), America's Credit Unions wrote to the Treasury Department as it evaluates which financial institutions will offer accounts.
For children born on or between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, the federal government will provide an initial contribution of $1,000 to each child's Trump Account. Parentsand guardians may contribute up to $5,000 annually, and these accounts will effectively serve as a custodial trust account until the beneficiary turns 18, after which it will operate similarly to an individual retirement account.
"Credit unions' ability to facilitate Trump Accounts fits squarely within their mission of helping members grow financially," the letter reads. "As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions' sole focus is on the well-being of their members and their families. These accounts represent a valuable tool and opportunity to build savings and secure the financial future of members' children."
Credit unions have experience managing specialized savings products, operate under a rigorous supervision and compliance framework, and maintain robust internal safeguards.
Read the full letter
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/credit-unions-must-be-authorized-trump-account-providers
