Not on the Test

I just ran across a website called Not on the Test which is a call to keep music, sports and arts programs in the curriculum and one more voice against "teaching to the test." The site, owned and operated by Tom Chapin, features a cute music video of the site theme song, "Not on the test."

If Chapin's style and voice quality sound familiar, it might because you are old enough to know and remember Tom's older brother, Harry. Harry Chapin's two most famous works "Cat's in the Cradle" and "Taxi" were big hits in the 1970s and his untimely death in 1981 was great shock to all his many fans.

Like me, the Chapin boys grew up in Brooklyn, NY and actually lived not too far from me. We had mutual friends although I can't say I ever met any of the Chapin boys. I did go to school with Harry's kids' babysitter!

Tom is also a highly accomplished story teller, singer, songwriter and Grammy Award winner.

Anyhow, the site is an interesting commentary on education through the eyes of an artist.

~John Brandt

Image Credit: Creative Commons by Rockesty