Testing 2013

Well it has been way to long since I posted a blog. In my defense my wife and I took on two precious foster children. Both of them under 3. I had taken sleep for granted, lol. As I write this the testing season of Spring 2013 is upon us. The teachers are anxious and nervous. The students are feeling the same. On a side note I would like to remind everyone that 3rd-8th grade students can get a free breakfast tomorrow morning and participating McDonald's restaurants. It is dine in only so you might have to get up a few minutes early tomorrow.

Testing seems to be on the front burner as that time of year comes around. I read on twitter and other services of a student walk out in New Jersey. I wonder what I would say to my students if they planned that here at Greenville. I know my stance on testing. Would I be willing to let them make that decision and face those consequences or would I try to stop them?

So what would I do? My personal stance on testing is that it is fine as a means to measure students growth. I think there should actually be better testing to truly have a beginning, middle, and ending growth measure. A tool to judge where a student is at, what they have shown mastery of, and what they need remediated in during the year. I don't however like tests being the end all be all. I think students can show mastery in other ways besides tests, even if those test include writing and not just multi-choice. Testing has to only be a tool. Like a drill to a carpenter, it is important but not the only tool that you use to build something. I don't like a student taking a single test and using it to judge a teacher or school. There are anywhere from 150 to 180 days in a school year. Picking one day to judge makes no sense to me in any way.

So back to what would I do? I think I would support them. Let them know the consequences but let them be heard. What avenues do our students have to be heard? Do we care if they feel over tested or that it takes away from other subject areas? Just today I had a student ask me for an art teacher. I want an art teacher too! It breaks my heart that I can't provide that for her and the other students who want that also. Because that is what it should be about, students and what is best for all of them. Not trying to let them all be common.