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!