This is a new experience for me. I am starting this blog as a requirement for a class at Walden University. I am interested in beginning dialogue concerning the overabundance of testing required these days. In the face of no child left behind, we are losing students. As we pat ourselves on the backs forever increasing federally mandated state testing, more and more students are dropping out. As more and more rigid control enters the curriculum, talented and gifted educators are becoming increasingly frustrated and are leaving the profession. These are the very teachers who think out of the box and are best able to reach those struggling students.
Too Much Testing?
I would agree with you Mary,there is too much testing taking place for students. I teach first grade and even my parents of my students think we are consistenly testing their childern. When do we as educators speak up and tell our goverment that we need changes to help students not give them a reason to drop out. We need to have less constraints and more ways of helping all our students wheather their gifted or struggling. I believe we all need to come together and we all need to think out of the box for all of our students. I think you did a great job on this blog and I excited to read more postings on this discussion.
too much testing
BobbiAnn,
You are right that we as educators need to speak up; however, the true power lies with parents. I just heard that a former neighbor with a brilliant child is going through such a rough time. Their child just dropped out of high school. He is only a sophomore. After much in house fighting, his dad agreed that perhaps this was best for his son. He accompanied him to school to discuss the matter with the principal who said he understood, the counselor gave no argument, and neither did any of the teachers they spoke with concerning quitting school. The only person sad to see him leave the school was the security officer who was treated to a sandwich on the days this student skipped classes. This is a very gifted child and I am not worried about his future at all. He will find his way. How unfortunate that our education system will not play a positive role in his eventual success. What about the thousands of stories similar to this, where the child is not as talented? Where will their futures lead them? Unfortunately, politics has gotten too entrenched in our schools. I have found where politics are concerned, multiple interests are being addressed and the most deserving are often left out of the mix.
Too Much Testing?
I am so sorry to hear about your neighbors son. I can't believe that none of the teachers or counselor did not come together and find a plan to help this family to help thier son to stay in school. I am curious to know, does this school district have any type of gifted and talented program that he could have been enrolled in. There has got to be another avenue for this young man. You are absoultely right it is unfortunate that the education system will not play a positive role in their future. I know that with my son, the summer of his sophmore year he was in a bad accident. He was hit by a speeding vechicle while he was on his four wheeler. This happened two years ago this June 6. I was really worried with him in the hospital for so long and losing his leg below the knee, if he could return to school with so many changes happening in his life. We worked really hard with the school, teachers, and counselor to help us through the first year of him staying at home. When the summer of his Junior year he recieved his first prothesis and has sense returned to school on an 504. We are greatful that our school was willing to work with us. I believe more schools need to be proactive in all our childern and students educations.
Bobbi Ann, I teach second
Bobbi Ann,
I teach second grade and my students do not take state tests with me. I know when I send them off to third grade they take several throughout the year. I am not envious of the third grade teacher! It is not only stressful to the teacher because students performance in a way reflects the teacher, but it is very stressful on the students. I work in a private school and we are lucky to have children who are advanced learners. I found that these students are the most stressed. They put so much pressure on themselves to do so well, and they are also individually very competitive. Also as a students I was not a great test taker. I could do the work and I did well in school, but when it came to tests I would not do well. I wonder if there are other ways the state could evaluate student performance and if they would ever consider another form of assessment?
Thank You!
Hi Mary, I am also at Walden and really appreciate you doing this blog because I was really confused with the assignment! I agree with you on the fact that we are losing our students due to no child left behind. I feel that we as teachers are limited to our creativity, allowing students to truly express themselves, and take our time when students do not understand somthing. We have the pressure of state tests and have deadlines we have to meet. I also am upset with the amount of pressure that is put on the students, I have students who get so upset and nervous due to these tests and this is not what school is about. Thank you for posting this issue, I could go on and on forever on this topic!
Megan
Too Much Testing
Greetings Mary,
Blogging is also a new experience for me, and I am also at Walden. I agree that there is an excessive amount of testing given to students. On many occasions I have experienced the frenzy displayed by administrators, parents, and teachers as the time for Standardized Testing approaches.Too much emphasis is placed on AYP and high test scores, instead of the progression of ,"well balanced" children.