#11: Scrambling for Voice, Choice, and Agency
Standardized Testing
This is Episode #11. To read any of the previous ten episodes, use the links in the Table of Contents.
From: Chance
Stan loves standards
To: Kerry sent - Gmail at 8:18 PM
Hi Kerry—
I met with Stan today. If he said teacher accountability once, he said it a hundred times.
He truly thinks that high stakes, standardized tests are an indication of how a teacher is performing.
His arguments are about fairness and a universal standard for education. He thinks a universal standard makes it easier to evaluate and rank students, teachers, and schools. He is sure that standards hold teachers and students accountable.
I honestly can’t decide which one of those arguments I hate the most, but when I hear him say standardized testing provides an inclusive opportunity for all students, it makes me want to start howling at the moon.
I tried to say things about research showing that standardized tests only indicate socio-economic status and a negative impact teachers’ ability to do their job. I said that they are culturally biased and don’t predict anything and are a waste of time.
He would have none of it. He told me that he thinks I should make all of the students sit in the same kind of desks and chairs….and face forward. He wants more decorum in my class. He wants me to start introducing test taking skills. He thinks that test prep is the key to success.
You know that old saying about not having a pissing contest with a skunk? I just kept saying that to myself as he droned on and on about how much time I was wasting during the school day.
At least, I have the weekend with Rich and my college friends to look forward to……three more days before the long weekend….
Have you heard from the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum? Is there any hope out there? Who is advocating on the side of the teachers?
Chance
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From: Kerry
Re: Stan and standards
To: Chance sent - Gmail 6:41 AM
Hi Chance—
UGH……Stan uses the same old tired and untrue arguments about standardized testing….The ones made by people who don’t understand kids……Those people have never considered what it means to learn…and they certainly don’t understand that the last best hope for strengthening democracy is teaching compromise, consensus, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration in the public schools.
Yes, there may be some hope about Wanda. I can’t tell exactly what is happening with Wanda and the administration over at the district office, but something is going on. I have been told that there will be an announcement next week.
The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum told me to go ahead with my lessons comparing information in the textbook with the information in Lies My Teacher Told Me.
What could it mean?
Have fun with Rich this weekend.
Kerry