Teaching to Change the World – chapter 6 – Assessment
When I think of the gross amount of testing that my students are subjected to, I cringe. I know in my heart that the CRCT will not tell me if my students are smart enough or not. (Even if their parents and my administrators think so)
I was horrible at taking tests in school. I barely scraped by on all of the tests I was required to take. Those tests didn’t show what I knew. I honestly think that there were very few times in school when I was given the opportunity to show my own intelligence. As I read this chapter, I thought back to my 10th grade geometry class. Anyone who knows me, knows that I was not a great math student. Geometry was no exception. However, I can think of two different times when I did really well on an assessment in Mr. Shirley’s 10th grade geometry class. (Those 2 times ultimately saved my butt!) Once, Mr. Shirley let us demonstrate a geometrical concept to the class using any media we chose. I made a video and connected my love of gymnastics and cheerleading to angles and rotations. It was so much fun! Then there was another time that I had to teach a lesson to Mr. Shirley. I was responsible to coming up with my own examples and explanations. I was a little nervous, but I did really well. I now know that Mr. Shirley was using authentic assessments and giving me ownership of my learning.
Now that I’m a teacher, I truly feel the pressure of CRCT and the other tests that I am required to give my students. Ultimately, that stupid test will decide whether a student will pass my class and move on to 4th grade. There is a lot on the line and the pressure is most definitely on. I was put in the hot seat last year and forced to justify why certain students didn’t do well enough on the CRCT. I’m terrified of being there again. But I know that I can’t let the pressure get to me and I can’t buy in to the naive belief that all of one’s intelligence is wrapped up in a score on a test. There are other ways to show what you know.
Uncategorized | Comments (2)2 Responses to “Teaching to Change the World – chapter 6 – Assessment”
Leave a Reply
Corey,
I am not a great test taker either and I still remember the pressure I felt when I found out I had to take the GRE in order to get into this program. When I decided to get my Master’s Degree, I purposely choose a university that didn’t require the GRE and instead made decisions based on past school grades/success in college, experience, and a written essay. I agree that we put too much pressure/stress on our students unnecessarily too early in their school careers…no wonder we have so many students who hate school!
I know this is the time of year that gets tense for you. It is so sad that it has to come to that. You know you are an incredible teacher. I always trusted my teaching and trusted my kids when it was time to test in 3rd grade but it is the “others ” that leave you doubting yourself in many ways as the tests and the scores occur. How is that fair to a professional? You will be fine, the kids will be fine, and somehow or someway we will show that there are other ways to show growth.