In DPS, we are currently testing students on high stakes exams. I came across this article and couldn't agree more. It stemmed from the question of What is the purpose of education?
I love working at Dora Moore where it is so diverse. I love bringing in that diversity to my classroom. I love learning and teaching new words from different languages.
We are a global society. I feel it is important to prepare my students for this global society. Do I still teach to the standards? Yes. But I also show them how it connects to the real world. Do I have to teach how to take a test? Yes. Because if I don't, I'm not preparing them for global society, which ranks things such as education. Do I enjoy teaching how to take a test? No. But it has to be done. Do I spend all day doing it? Of course not. There clearly has to be a balance. (I will say, that I had one student say to me, "I can't wait to take the PARCC". He has an older brother who is currently testing, and doing well. Developing a culture of tenacity and GRIT can help us get of the "testing" hurdle.)
It excites me to see that there is a shift happening. For instance, in Maryland, a superintendent called for a three year moratorium on standardized testing. In Washington, schools have started to boycott certain tests. In Texas, a senator filed a bill that would bring tests from 15 to five in reading, writing, biology, Algebra I and U.S. history in order to graduate.
I hope the shift continues. Time will tell.
