state tests today at school and my dd is sick-UPDATE #65

[luvmy3]

I realize that we are all from different states, but Tennesee just passed a bill that says teachers jobs will be evaluated based on their students performance on standardized tests (whichever one applies to them.) Our jobs are LITERALLY on the line based on how students do on their tests. Now I'm a band director so since I don't teach a class that has a standardized test, I will be evaluated based on the school's average scores for subjects I don't even teach. Ridiculous, right??



THIS! Instead of complaining to teachers about the tests, write, call, email your state reps to express how you fell about these testing requirements.

Yes it is ridiculous but its not my job on the line, my concern is my children (no offense, its just how it is). When test time rolls around, my issue is how the kids are being treated, my issue is not that your job is evaluated because of those tests and as an adult teacher (generally speaking) I would expect you to know ways to make sure your students are prepared for those tests without adding pressure through bribery and other such means.

If you feel the parents are the ones who should be calling and writing their state reps, are teachers expected to as well?

 

[lovebug33]

I write to my legislators all the time. Like I said before, I don't do bribery, but my school does. What can I do? I have to tow the line. And, I'm sorry, try to teach 27 fifth graders to mastery. Seriously? I had a kid write one sentence on her written response. I want to scream!

 

[scrapquitler]

At least we get ours over and done with early so it doesn't end up dictating as much of the year's teaching schedule as in some other places. I have friends who complain that pretty much everything from Christmas until test time is devoted to/geared for getting ready for the testing; there's not so much of that with the MEAP because the kids are barely back in school for a month when it is administered.

Here in CT, they changed the CMTS from Late Oct/Nov to March a few years ago because of concerns that the children would forget the material over the summer. Now they get test prep from right after Christmas to March.

I have friends that tell their kids that they will reward the kids if they meet the targets on all the sections of the test. On the other hand, I always reminded my daughter that I wanted her to do well, but the test is really not to test HER it is to test the curriculum and the teacher's presentation of the material. That seemed to relieve a lot of the stress for her, and she always scored very high. Now next year when she takes the CAPT (10th grade test, which passing IS required to get your diploma), that's a different thing, but for 3rd-8th, the test is really NOT to test the students.

 

[shortbun]

I thought a teacher's perspective might be helpful. ...

It is a huge pet peeve of mine when people pull kids out for vacations during testing. Your kid is sick? Well, they'll come back, make up the test, no harm, no foul. But to take your kid out for a vacation really irritates me.

I know people who intentionally keep their children out of testing. These are parents with kids who would score high. They object to the pressure being put on the children and I agree. I know it's not something that is going to happen because of politics but if we ALL objected to the current system and made them do something that more clearly measured what teachers are doing to teach and how the children respond to that environment...wouldn't that be nice? My husband is currently student teaching in a 5th grade as the Science teacher. He's so shocked at the prep these teachers are doing. He says they lose about a third of the school year prepping for tests. It's no wonder our children are placing so low in the world. We are an enormous amount of teaching time. My son's K-8 never did this. He's a freshman today and I volunteered in his school on a weekly basis. I knew the teachers well and I followed his work on a pretty much daily basis, online and/or in the classroom. It's amazing what you can learn stapling booklets together in the back of the room or sitting in the office all day answering phones. DS's school is a magnate school that scores in the top 3 schools in our city consistently, 1st mostly. The teachers teach in an informal system and there are almost no tests given regarding academics except the standards tests given by the government. These kids LOVE taking tests! They think it's fun and therefore they do a great job. They are relaxed, there is no hysteria in the classroom-no bribes, no lectures, no huge reviewing. In fourth grade, they do learn how to write a 3 paragraph piece because that is what the test requires. That's it though. DS got in high school and loved the testing piece in each classroom. He thinks it's funny the other kids hate it. He also does all his work and turns it in on time. He just wouldn't dream of lagging behind...it just didn't happen at his informal school but they all co-operated in projects and the learning process happened every day. He actually likes the structure of traditional school for a change. It doesn't force him to make all the decisions about what to do next and how to get from A to Z in each unit. All he has to do is follow the teacher's homework and daily lecture and he's done. Funny, huh?

 

[lisaross]

Here in CT, they changed the CMTS from Late Oct/Nov to March a few years ago because of concerns that the children would forget the material over the summer. Now they get test prep from right after Christmas to March.

I have friends that tell their kids that they will reward the kids if they meet the targets on all the sections of the test. On the other hand, I always reminded my daughter that I wanted her to do well, but the test is really not to test HER it is to test the curriculum and the teacher's presentation of the material. That seemed to relieve a lot of the stress for her, and she always scored very high. Now next year when she takes the CAPT (10th grade test, which passing IS required to get your diploma), that's a different thing, but for 3rd-8th, the test is really NOT to test the students.

Here in NYC 3rd grade on it is to test the kids - if u don't pass, u don't move on to the next grade! i really hate the testing and truly believe many kids are going to drop out of school around HS if they are struggling - just too too much stress - especially if kids are great students all year then they do poorly on the test for whatever reason - imagine how their self esteem will be -- DOWN!

 

[hpfan100]

As a teacher, I think keeping your sick child at home is the right thing to do. All state testing windows include additional days for make ups. Most well run districts have testing the first week of the window and then make ups during the second week of the window. I would just call the teacher explain the situation and I'm sure she will understand.

By the way I have always bribed my students with party/treats/rewards for perfect attendance during testing. I reward them because I want them to have something positive at the end of a week of torture. Besides I need a reward for surviving the torture of grade level standardized testing with hormonal 6th graders on IEPs. YIPES!! glad my testing drama isn't until April.

 

[bwilcox]

Yes it is ridiculous but its not my job on the line, my concern is my children (no offense, its just how it is). When test time rolls around, my issue is how the kids are being treated, my issue is not that your job is evaluated because of those tests and as an adult teacher (generally speaking) I would expect you to know ways to make sure your students are prepared for those tests without adding pressure through bribery and other such means.

If you feel the parents are the ones who should be calling and writing their state reps, are teachers expected to as well?

I know many teachers who DO contact their state reps. And I suggested parents do the same because they are the ones complaining about the pressure. I think most schools (that I have been involved with anyway) DON'T use bribery, but there is still pressure. If parents are upset about it, they need to complain to the people who can actually make a difference, not the teachers and not strangers on an internet forum.

 

[richmond282]

Yes it is ridiculous but its not my job on the line, my concern is my children (no offense, its just how it is). When test time rolls around, my issue is how the kids are being treated, my issue is not that your job is evaluated because of those tests and as an adult teacher (generally speaking) I would expect you to know ways to make sure your students are prepared for those tests without adding pressure through bribery and other such means.

If you feel the parents are the ones who should be calling and writing their state reps, are teachers expected to as well?

Just for the record, I stated that I DON'T teach a class that is tested (so no bribery from me!) but I am still evaluated based on how students that I don't even teach at all score on the test.

And, trust me, teachers contact their state reps all the time. It would be nice to know that unhappy parents will too, though.

And to stay on topic, OP, I would for sure keep a sick child at home and that comes from me as both a mother and a teacher.

On the other hand, I second the opinions about parents who vacation during testing. I ask myself "what kind of lesson are you teaching your children?" Testing isn't important? Vacationing is more important than education?

 

[SnowWhite607]

well I found out today that my DD's teacher is threatening to punish the kids who dont do well on the test. Way to motivate!

 

[scrapquitler]

well I found out today that my DD's teacher is threatening to punish the kids who dont do well on the test. Way to motivate!

I would be calling the principal (and possibly the superintendant) to complain about that. That is SO not right.

 

[SnowWhite607]

According to my DD, the teacher told them that whoever scored the lowest would have to give up their recess time and write lines and do math problems.

 

[bellebud]

According to my DD, the teacher told them that whoever scored the lowest would have to give up their recess time and write lines and do math problems.

I'd get that straight from the teachers mouth before I got too upset. If it were me, a personal visit tomorrow morning would be happening.

good luck!

 

[luvmy3]

I know many teachers who DO contact their state reps. And I suggested parents do the same because they are the ones complaining about the pressure. I think most schools (that I have been involved with anyway) DON'T use bribery, but there is still pressure. If parents are upset about it, they need to complain to the people who can actually make a difference, not the teachers and not strangers on an internet forum.

While I agree that parents (as well as teachers) should be complaining to those State Reps about the adsurdity of being evaluted on these tests (especially in your case), that doesn't change the fact that my (speaking generally as a parent) problem is still with the individual teacher's, or school's way of pressuring their students, and that should be addressed at the source, the teacher and/or the school itself. The teacher has a choice, they don't have to put this kind of pressure on the students, I would assume a teacher would be capable of coming up with creative ways to get through to their students, to prepare and motivate them for the tests without having to resort to bribery, and punishment.
Pressuring them, blaming the State requirements and telling the parents its not their fault, its the State's, complain to them, is really just taking the easy way out IMO. If you can't handle the pressure put on you, without projecting it to children, or if you rely on the parents complaining on your behalf because you do choose to put that pressure on them, you shouldn't be in a teaching position. (ETA, not speaking about you, but teachers like in the OP, or teachers like the one the pp said is going to punish the kids if they don't do well)

 

[hpfan100]

WOW...this quite a heated discussion. Should have skipped this one and stuck with the CVS savings one. All this talk of what people think teachers should do always upsets me.

 

[luvmy3]

Just for the record, I stated that I DON'T teach a class that is tested (so no bribery from me!) but I am still evaluated based on how students that I don't even teach at all score on the test.

And, trust me, teachers contact their state reps all the time. It would be nice to know that unhappy parents will too, though.

And to stay on topic, OP, I would for sure keep a sick child at home and that comes from me as both a mother and a teacher.

On the other hand, I second the opinions about parents who vacation during testing. I ask myself "what kind of lesson are you teaching your children?" Testing isn't important? Vacationing is more important than education?

As a parent, I'm unhappy what is going on at the school level, the fact that your job is evaluted by these tests is a whole seperate issue and not one that I feel the responsibilty to complain to the State Reps about (its yours as the one directly effected by it). I would happily complain because I don't agree with it, but its aseperate issue than the one I have about the ridiculous pressure in the school. I feel a responsibilty to take care of it there at the school level, because it effects my kids personally. Its no different (to me) than having an issue with the way a particular teacher runs something in her class.

 

[bwilcox]

well I found out today that my DD's teacher is threatening to punish the kids who dont do well on the test. Way to motivate!

Wow-in my state that would be illegal and a quick way to get the teacher fired!

 

[bwilcox]

As a parent, I'm unhappy what is going on at the school level, the fact that your job is evaluted by these tests is a whole seperate issue and not one that I feel the responsibilty to complain to the State Reps about (its yours as the one directly effected by it). I would happily complain because I don't agree with it, but its aseperate issue than the one I have about the ridiculous pressure in the school. I feel a responsibilty to take care of it there at the school level, because it effects my kids personally. Its no different (to me) than having an issue with the way a particular teacher runs something in her class.

I agree with you on most points. The bribery and threats that a few schools resort to are ridiculous, and I would complain to the principal as well if my children went to a school that used those tactics. I disagree that the fact that teachers' jobs are evaluated based on the tests is a separate issue, though. When you are going through a stressful time in your life, it affects you, and your children as well. When teachers are being told that their students need to score a certain percent or they will be fired, that stress is going to affect their teaching. Plus, school time that could be used for quality teaching is instead being used to "teach to the test." People who have never taught in a state where tests determine your job don't understand the extreme amount of pressure that schools and teachers are put under to perform well. Of course students are going to feel that pressure.
I no longer teach, and I do stay informed and contact my state rep when there are bills going through that affect testing in my state-because I know the effect that those tests have on the quality of education of my 2 kids.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree with you on most points. The bribery and threats that a few schools resort to are ridiculous, and I would complain to the principal as well if my children went to a school that used those tactics. I disagree that the fact that teachers' jobs are evaluated based on the tests is a separate issue, though. When you are going through a stressful time in your life, it affects you, and your children as well. When teachers are being told that their students need to score a certain percent or they will be fired, that stress is going to affect their teaching. Plus, school time that could be used for quality teaching is instead being used to "teach to the test." People who have never taught in a state where tests determine your job don't understand the extreme amount of pressure that schools and teachers are put under to perform well. Of course students are going to feel that pressure.
I no longer teach, and I do stay informed and contact my state rep when there are bills going through that affect testing in my state-because I know the effect that those tests have on the quality of education of my 2 kids.

I mean seperate in the sense that I can't call my state rep and say Mrs.XXX is doing this in her class and I don't like it laughing: just trying to keep the mood light) I can call the principal at my kid's school though. I know its all related since if these teachers didn't have these expectations they wouldn't have to feel so pressured to make sure their students show up and do well. I just think that they can come up with ways to do that without projecting it onto the kids. And to the pp who said it upsets you when people think they know what the teachers should do, I think this because my kids have had wonderful teachers through the years who were perfectly willing to motivate the kids without putting crazy pressure on them. Its just sad that some of them aren't.

FTR, I have never complained, or ever plan to, we just try tp go with the flow and let our kids know that although the tests are important they don't need to worry about what happens if they do bad. Of course my worrywort ds still worries, but he has managed to get a perfct score on his math test once!

 

[petlvr1064]

As a teacher, I think keeping your sick child at home is the right thing to do. All state testing windows include additional days for make ups. Most well run districts have testing the first week of the window and then make ups during the second week of the window. I would just call the teacher explain the situation and I'm sure she will understand.

By the way I have always bribed my students with party/treats/rewards for perfect attendance during testing. I reward them because I want them to have something positive at the end of a week of torture. Besides I need a reward for surviving the torture of grade level standardized testing with hormonal 6th graders on IEPs. YIPES!! glad my testing drama isn't until April.

This made me laugh because I have auspergurs and state testing was no fun in high school espcialy doing 12 grade math on a 1 or 2 grade leavel ya fun not.

 

[hpfan100]

This made me laugh because I have auspergurs and state testing was no fun in high school espcialy doing 12 grade math on a 1 or 2 grade leavel ya fun not.

i hear yeah! It is no fun. I'm glad it made you laugh though, helps lighten the mood a bit round here. I always say you gotta laugh or this whole situation will just make you cry.