State mandated testing
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:30 pm
It's no secret that I'm against all high-stakes testing. Most parents don't know that they can refuse to allow their child to take almost all of these tests. I fully entrust my child's teachers and principal to evaluate and work with me to help my children develop into well-rounded, capable adults. No state involvement necessary here.
I was so disappointed today when I learned that 50% of our teacher evaluations are based in these test scores. Test scores don't know which kid just had a grandparent die, which kid didn't have breakfast, which kids have learning disabilities or IEPs, who is just having a bad day....and yet this the measure to which we hold our teachers accountable. Measures completely out of their control. The other 50% is based on observation and other 'in-house' measures.
This newest test (PARCC) doesn't even measure kids performance. Results won't be back for a year. It's a test to measure whether it's a good test!!!
Lakewood educators- I support you! You do an unbelievably wonderful job. You genuinely care. You know my kids better than a bubble test. This is just absolute hogwash. As a parent, I am outraged on your behalf.
Parents- you don't have to allow your children to be pressured by all of this, or to blindly accept that 'it is what it is'. Equally important, you can support your teachers by not testing wherever possible.
Let teachers teach. Let leaders lead. And let kids learn to love to learn.
I was so disappointed today when I learned that 50% of our teacher evaluations are based in these test scores. Test scores don't know which kid just had a grandparent die, which kid didn't have breakfast, which kids have learning disabilities or IEPs, who is just having a bad day....and yet this the measure to which we hold our teachers accountable. Measures completely out of their control. The other 50% is based on observation and other 'in-house' measures.
This newest test (PARCC) doesn't even measure kids performance. Results won't be back for a year. It's a test to measure whether it's a good test!!!
Lakewood educators- I support you! You do an unbelievably wonderful job. You genuinely care. You know my kids better than a bubble test. This is just absolute hogwash. As a parent, I am outraged on your behalf.
Parents- you don't have to allow your children to be pressured by all of this, or to blindly accept that 'it is what it is'. Equally important, you can support your teachers by not testing wherever possible.
Let teachers teach. Let leaders lead. And let kids learn to love to learn.