Here in PA, we are in the midst of our standardized testing. All districts are out to show AYP, or adequate yearly progress. Our district has developed and implemented quite a plan for getting students to attend these days, which resulted in 6 of 500 absent, two’s whereabouts and reasons were legitimate and were known. That's quite an accomplishment for standardized testing days! The students take tests, eat lunch and go home; no attempt is made to push them any further, which makes their lives easier. It is also hoped that it will encourage students to do their best, since they must only work for about 2.5 hours. Another reason is to show the students how important these tests are. We’ll see sometime within the next 12 months, whether it was successful or not.
The price for not meeting AYP can be quite high! Currently the Philadelphia schools are under government “supervision”. Our federal government has employees in charge of bringing the schools “up to par”. If my information is correct, somewhere around 95 superintendents have been replaced with one fed. School boards are gone. If tests don’t improve this year, more union employees will be replaced. In a district this large and with such a high transient population, it will be difficult to improve all schools enough to stop the increasing federal presence.
After thinking about what has happened, I began to wonder how long it would be before it was mathematically impossible or at least highly improbable to stay out of “school improvement”, which is the kinder gentler form of saying, “do better or we’re taking over”. Fortunately, my school is beating the odds for a district with our size and income levels (from Standard and Poor). Our plaque that states that we made AYP two years in row just arrived. Not a very high percentage are said to accomplish this (I’m currently looking for statistics on this and for school score numbers). As requirements go up, it becomes more difficult. In the murky and foggy distance it begins to become clearer that this could be the union breaker of all union breakers? I might be a bit pessimistic and at times look at things more negatively than I should, but I’m pretty good at recognizing stink coming down the pipe. I’m sensing something now. I’m not about to get into the politics of it all, or even my views of such, but it is something to think about for all educators. This backward design seems like something that will be very beneficial to continue improving.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
**Previous commented deleted due to typos!**
What an unusual carrot on the stick for your kids! I have to ask, though, especially since I also teach middle school: what did the parents think? Did any of them complain that their kids shouldn't be "out wandering the streets"?
Just curious, because I have a gut feeling that would be one of the comments heard 'round these parts.
Oh, and I'm so envious, by the way! I'd love to be able to go after lunch--IN AN HOUR! :)
It's always so interesting to me to hear about going through the standardized testing. As a private school teacher (and parent), I've never dealt with thaat. We do some Spring Testing (SATs), but there is very little stress involved. It is used more as a resource for the school to evaluate itself & compare what our students know with those of other schools across the country. My son is in 2nd grade & has taken these tests since kindergarten. I haven't noticed any stress on his part & I'm glad.
Now, a few questions for you about PA's tests, since my niece lives in southern PA. Is this test taken in all grades? If not, which grades take the tests? Is passing a requirement to go onto the next grade?
Thanks for the responses. I think I "dialogued" each of you...if not let me know. I'm not ignoring you guys, just not entirely sure I'm doing everything right here...
mark
Rachel,
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's school. I doubt very much that the powers that generated these tests saw the extent of the possible ramifications. Many schools are going to this "teaching the test". When there is so much attached to these tests, it is bound to seriously affect how schools are run. I don't really know what the answers are, but I do see that this testing is not improving the education system as it was intended. We can only hope that some heads are removed from high up posteriors and the errors of this concept are realized before things get even more ugly!
Elementary schools should have much more than testing in its curriculum. The kids have to grow up so fast in the real world, but there should be room and a place for a kid to be a kid too. Again, I'm not sure about the answer.
Has your daughter shown any signs of stress? Is she more relaxed now that the testing is over(it is over right?)
Hope all works out, and that your daughter is OK.
mark
Post a Comment