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| Thank you Two Writing Teachers for sponsoring the March SOLSC |
I can't tell you how many times I have deleted and rewritten this post, worried about hitting that publish button. So many experts or teachers who have many more years of teaching experience than I, have written about standardized assessment.
What could I possibly have to offer?
Just my rambling thoughts.
My "writer's fear" is coming out, but I know I need to conquer it. So here is my post...finally!
Tomorrow we begin our first round of state testing, otherwise referred to as the "testing season." Friday night I read this tweet on Twitter, and it left me thinking.
Differentiation seems to be one of many buzz words in our school corporation. I am an advocate of this type of teaching. I truly believe it my responsibility to reach each of my students in whatever way is needed.
I believe in teaching the reader, not the reading. I believe in teaching the writer, not the writing. That is differentiation at its best.
I believe in teaching the reader, not the reading. I believe in teaching the writer, not the writing. That is differentiation at its best.
This tweet says so much in such few words. Yes, we are expected to teach each student, make accommodations, use small group instruction, and differentiate our instruction. Then testing season begins, and all those ideals seem to lose their importance. The importance is solely placed on the score. Not the student. Not where it should be.
We know students learn differently and teachers should instruct them differently, but standardized assessment is a one size fits all. Is it right? Is it fair?
We know students learn differently and teachers should instruct them differently, but standardized assessment is a one size fits all. Is it right? Is it fair?
One child + differentiation = one test.
Is there something wrong with this equation?
Yep, there is something wrong with that equation. Our testing season is a bit down the road still, but everything is new this year for us. New test, testing on computers, so many unknowns...I'm choosing to shut the door on that anxiety for now.
ReplyDeleteI notice you use the word "corporation." I've been hearing that description from so many teachers these days. Sad. And that tweet really speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteI teach special education and applaud your post. After the testing "season" it seems I have to start all over again, building self esteem and changing mindsets. Keep writing and speaking out.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, testing! So much to say, but I can't say it better than that tweet or this post. I can offer this piece of advice...in the midst of the testing season, look for moments of meaning and authentic learning. Look at your students, look at their faces...remember why you are there and why they need you! They won't remember the tests...they'll remember you! I know it's easy to say and hard to do...but they need us to do that! Thinking of you & your students as you begin your testing season!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put. Thank you for overcoming your writerly anxiety and speaking what we (at least most of the folks I interact with) feel. Love and support to you as you enter the season.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you conquered your fear and posted this. I have a real problem with this equation. It doesn't work and it never will. When will the higher ups ever figure this out?
ReplyDeleteI always dreaded "The Testing Season" For weeks before we would do lessons that prep our students for the test. We would hammer into them how important it was to do the best that they could. I know for me living with that kind of pressure would guarantee that I would do poorly.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments on testing. I am glad you have "come out" and made your strong and important statements with conviction. I, too, have strong feelings about what the testing mentality is doing to our children.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts. Your words are all so true. There is a huge gap between good instruction and gathering data. Hadn't heard "corporation" before... something else to think about.
ReplyDeleteThere IS something wrong with that equation. I'd love to see our country move to a portfolio assessment that ties-in with the CCSS. Not sure what it'd look like, but I can imagine it would be a positive departure from the status quo.
ReplyDeleteYES! I work with teachers in the PD workshops and as much as they are engaged in the creative, they hear two very different messages and they are confused and frustrated. My heart aches for tormented, great teachers who know that these crazy reforms are just moving us farther and farther away from where we need to be.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's my rant for the day :)
We start our testing season next week, and the more I learn about our so-called standardized testing, the more I distrust it and the corporations that push it on schools. I've been seeing the sentiment expressed in that tweet offered several places, and it rings so true. One test cannot measure all students, much less their schools and teachers.
ReplyDeleteYou have it just right - two messages. I hate testing season, for which I am just beginning to prepare. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteTesting season, blah. We're starting ours on Monday. I abhor it. Good luck making it through the week!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that this post has so many comments. I'm so glad you decided to press the publish button. I feel the same way you do. I keep telling parents that I'm not teaching to create great test takers, I'm teaching to create life long learners. However, I have a few parents who aren't thrilled with that. :) Good luck this week.
ReplyDeleteI am giving the Plan test tomorrow. All my ELL students in 10th grade have to take it. 9th graders have to take the Explore test. It does not matter whether you speak English or not. Go figure! Perhaps the people in charge really do not understand how to solve equations!
ReplyDeleteI do think that there are types of assessment that truly give us information we need in order to improve instruction and help students learn, but that equation is not it.
ReplyDeleteWe are headed into this season too. And it's such a hard time of year for me…
ReplyDeleteWe just found out that there will no provincial writing assessment in grade 2 this spring. So thankful.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right on with your post. And with all the comments, you can easily see that many agree! Hang in there for now. Stay positive for your kids. Continue to hope more change in assessments will come!
ReplyDelete