Livramento Defends Testing, But Supports Ballot Question

Standardized testing has become a heated issue especially in New Bedford schools where students are participating in the PARCC.

This has lead to concerns that testing has become so overly emphasized that educators are "teaching to the test."

Speaking with WBSM's Brian Thomas incumbent School Committee Member Joaquim "Jack" Livramento says teachers shouldn't be doing that but also doesn't believe it's something that could be done.

"You don't have the questions," said  Livramento who argues that testing is a good way to determine how well students are grasping material.

"I think we need to prepare students as well as we can with the subject matter that we present them with and then from there use the exams to measure how much the student has retained, how much the students have captured, so they can deal with whatever questions are thrown at them."

Livramento also said he would be open to having a question about common core be placed on an upcoming ballot.

"Those questions need to be addressed by our electorate," said Livramento "all questions, I think, need to be given that choice."

The election takes place November 3.