The Age of "The Test"

Testing is here. What does that look like? Here's an idea: Students in "non-tested" grades have not been receiving their support services, and will not receive those services for a few more weeks. Those support teachers are now exclusively working with students who will be taking "The Test." Students in  non-tested grades will have an adjusted schedule for specials classes (Music, P.E. Media) during test weeks. Those teachers must assist with the administration of "The Test." (Of course, the adjusted specials schedule means teachers will have less planning and prep time.) Students in non-tested grades should not be given their recess time on testing days. The sounds of children playing outside (as they should) might distract students taking "The Test".
This is just a brief synopsis of the age of "The Test." The Almighty Test, which determines all success and failure of schools and teachers.
What does testing look like at your school? (For tested grades or non tested grades.)

Some things need to change.

I found this in an old journal. I find it disturbing that I wrote this over 3 years ago, and I could have written it yesterday. Things have got to change in education. How will we fix these problems??

9/9/09

Today I was very frustrated with my job and this county. I am so overwhelmed with requirements: plans, objectives, grades, committees, preparation, notes, logs, meetings, etc., that I feel like I don't have time to do what I am supposed to here to do - teach. Notice, none of my requirements involved working with children.
When my students were entering the classroom today, I felt like saying, "I don't have time for you today. I am too busy." That is why teachers burn out. That is what makes good teachers leave school systems like this. We come because we love teaching and we want to help children, but we leave when we realize that helping children falls to the bottom of our "to-do list."
I feel stressed, overwhelmed, rushed, pressured. This is not the way I want to live. This is not the way I want to feel every day.


I know I can't be the only teacher who feels this way. As a matter of fact, I know I am not the only one. The system is flawed and the it is chasing away good teachers. Things have to change, and they have to change now!

Mixed Messages

As a teacher, I am tired of all of the mixed messages when it comes to the school system. We have mixed messages coming from the system itself, as well as mixed messages from society and government about what the school system should be. Today, I will be focusing on mixed messages from the school system itself.

It is time for the teachers at my school to fill out our annual Self-Assessment and Goal-Setting forms. This is supposed to help us reflect on our teaching and look for areas we can improve on. We then set a goal (or goals) and decide how we will improve in this area and write a plan.

I sat down to look at my self-assessment sheet this morning. It turns out I am supposed to rate myself on my ability to design and plan instruction for my students and meet all of their individual needs. It says things like, "Teacher coordinates knowledge of content, of students, and of resources, to design a series of learning experiences aligned to instructional outcomes, differentiated where appropriate to make them suitable to all students and likely to engage them in significant learning. The lesson or unit's structure is clear and allows for different pathways according to student needs." (Charlotte Danielson, 2006)

Now, that all sounds good. Here's my problem: I work in a school system that gives teachers a curriculum and a pacing guide that tells us what to teach, on what day, down to the materials we should use and words we should say. Every teacher in a grade level is supposed to be doing the same thing, on the same day, at the same time. If a "higher-up" should come to visit, they should see you on pace with the rest of the school system according to the lessons and calendar they distribute. So, how am I supposed to reflect on my ability to "design instruction," if my school system doesn't allow teachers the freedom to do that? I did not design the units of instruction that I am responsible for teaching, but now I am being held responsible for it in my evaluation. I am supposed to rate myself on my ability to do something I am not actually allowed to do, and make a plan to do it better.

That is the mixed message of the day from the school system. Teachers should be experts at designing instruction, and teachers can not be trusted to design instruction, but should be told what to say and what to teach each day.  Make sense?

Same Old Story - Overworked, Underpaid

I get the feeling that people (and by people, I mean people who are not teachers and don't live with a teacher) are tired of hearing about teacher's low salaries and heavy workload. For some reason, it seems that teachers have gotten a bad reputation for being, well, bad. While I admit that I have worked with some bad teachers, I have found in my years of experience that the majority of teachers I have come across are good at what they do and truly strive to do it well.

I consider myself to be among those teachers who are talented and working hard. I can tell you that I, and others like me, have become increasingly frustrated over the years as we have watched our salaries and benefits decrease while our workload has increased. Surely, by anyone's standards, that is backwards. "We will pay you less money and you will be required to put in more hours." That doesn't seem right.


I find myself wanting to go into an analysis of standardized testing and teacher accountability right now, but that deserves it's own post at another time. For now I will simply tell you that I personally spent over 5 hours in the past 2 days, outside of my work hours, working on one project (required) for my job. That was just one project of many that I am required to complete this week. The hours teachers spend planning, grading, preparing materials, contacting parents, attending meetings, etc. would be enough for a full-time job. However, those things are usually seen as "extras," things that teachers will find time to do because of their dedication. I am dedicated to my students. I want them to succeed. I want to help them succeed. But many of the tasks teachers are required to complete in the name of "accountability" do not benefit the students. In fact, many of the results of this "accountability tasks" can be harmful to students. (There I go again down that road of discussing accountability and standardized tests...another time, I promise!)

So let me leave you with this thought: The next time you feel the urge to say to, or about, a teacher, "Your job must be so great. You get off work at 3:00 and don't work in the summer," think twice. Don't say it. Instead, remember this: our students may leave school at 3:00, but that's when we can really get to work doing our jobs. Once the students leave, then we go to meetings, write lesson plans, prepare materials, make phone calls to parents, tutor students, and grade student work. We usually do those things for free, after "work" is over.

Introduction

I am an elementary school teacher with 15 years of experience. I have taught in both private and public school settings. I have a master's degree and National Board Certification. I have worked with students from a wide variety of backgrounds. I have worked with several administrators, all with different viewpoints on education. I have worked with many, many other educators with different levels of experience, knowledge, and skills. Over the course of these years and experiences, I have come to develop strong opinions about education.

I hope to use this blog to connect with others who feel strongly about education. Maybe some of you will agree with what I have to say, and will feel validated knowing that others share your opinions. Maybe some of you will disagree with me, and will walk away shaking your heads. Either way, please feel free to comment. I believe that ideas can only improve with discussion and input.

I hope that my blog will spark discussion about education and education policy. I think we all know that things must change, but many aren't sure about what should change or how to change. So let's take a look at where we are and where we want to be; maybe then we will see a path to get there.