Tales from the teacher are the best. Sharing stories reaffirm that we aren’t alone and that we aren’t crazy.
Recently, my teacher friend reminisced about a post-state test song analysis project she facilitated. You know, that time of year where you experiment with projects, plays and competitions? Because it doesn’t “count?”
My friend introduced the project to her students, “we will be analyzing song lyrics for theme, and…”
She calls on the dramatically waved hand in the back. “Yes..?”
“I thought you could only analyze theme for benchmarks and packets!” He was serious.
Telling this teacher tale, we both agreed that this was sad and probably a common misconception. School, in fact, is not a place where you learn to do packets and pass tests. I hope...
I’m guessing that if you’re reading this right now, you are no fan of standardized testing. Like me, the side effects of the test obsession is what you like least about your job. It kills you how it stifles creativity, narrows curriculum and is so short-sighted for true student achievement that you wonder why things haven’t changed by now.
For me, standardization is not the enemy, it’s how much fear these tests impose on kids and educators. The fear brings on some truly crappy learning environments. The fear makes teachers quit and students hate school.
I mean, right now there are thousands of American children with four crispy, new state test prep workbooks glamming up their student desks. Purple, red, green and yellow-one for each subject. Promised to give them high scores and hours of practice “mastering test-released questions.” These are hot items for the next three months. And sure to make student behavior extra spicy.
For a long time, I drank the Koolaid of believing that teachers are doing our kids a disservice if they don’t test-prep. And, testing is part of life, students have to know how to pass tests to be globally competitive. And my fave, State test pep rallies get kids psyched about showing off their learning this year.
Now...not so much.
What kind of message are we sending our students when we only celebrate test scores? Or throw parties for their upcoming twenty seven hours of bubble sheets and ticking timers? What’s with the teacher award ceremonies for state test performance?
Teachers, we can take hold of what matters. Be the filter for your kids. Protect them from the standardized test pandemonium. Send them the message that you know is true. Make them love school and value life-long learning.
Possible approaches to sending the right messages:
- Celebrate academic achievement with more than standardized tests. Schools are stellar at celebrating core values and improved behavior, but when rewarding academics, test scores usually take the lead. Let’s include student discoveries in science, creative writing pieces or history projects in award ceremonies! Instead of a pizza party for math benchmark scores, why not a pizza party to award class mathematicians for the “most original problem solving approach” or "best rationale for evaluating wrong answers vs correct answers.” What we reward shows what we value.
- Post student work that shows what students value and what you value. Instead of posting one-hundred percenter spelling tests, why not post the twenty-five letters to the mayor that each kid typed, and actually sent, calling for action to improve their neighborhoods?
- Incorporate lessons on communication. Speaking and listening state standards exist and are vital to developing strong communicators. These standards may not be assessed on benchmarks and state tests, but just think how powerful knowledge can be when well-communicated! Go get your Socratic Seminar on!
Teachers may not have the power to change state testing yet, but we do have the power to change the narrative. We can start conversations with colleagues and school leaders about sending the right messages to our kids. We can support each other when the fear gets the best of us.
We can remind ourselves what really matters in education.
Power to the teacher...
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