My Testing Rant

Even though I'm not teaching this year, I still have very strong feelings towards Common Core and High Stakes Testing. This is mostly due to the fact that as the elementary computer teacher the last two years, the school I was at tested WAY too much! This was especially true last year. 

This was true before the Common Core Standards became mandatory as of this year. I fear for those kids this year as to how much more testing they may have ended up with. 

The reason I was the one giving the majority of the tests was due to the fact that the tests we took were all computer based. The kids were stressed as they took 2-3 big, lengthy, and repetitive standardized tests per quarter! This was in Grades 1 and up! 

The kids also hated the fact that they hardly had fun in computer class anymore. They wanted to learn with me! They wanted to enjoy the technology skills being taught. They knew I was frustrated as well but we all knew we could do nothing about it. We all knew the testing was mandated by people higher than the teachers and few administrators who actually understood what the constant testing was doing to students and teachers. We all just had to muddle through and do our best jobs!

Now, Missouri's annual state test, the MAP, was not computerized...yet. That used to be the main test given. However, more and more schools add too many other standardized tests throughout the year that I worry that by the time the "real" test is given in the spring, students will be "checked out". 

I understand and support the importance for testing. I know it's necessary to gauge learning and to help focus on areas of need in academics. But the trend lately has been creating a "testing overkill"!

As a teacher and a mother, I've seen first hand what too many tests does to schools, teachers, and students. It's unnecessary and takes away way too much time from main purpose of education: Learning! There is no need to spend the time and money on these high stakes tests. The money could be used better elsewhere: funding schools, teacher salaries, technologies, etc.

Give us our schools back! Trust teachers more! After all, they know best how to run a classroom, teach objectives, differentiate learning, and how to create lifelong learners.

Teaching students to pass a test does nothing to help them succeed in the real world. CCSS do not properly prepare our students for life post K12. If you want to have a national set of standards, then have actual educators create them. DO NOT make them so test focused and never, ever tie teachers' jobs and salaries to these tests either!

Education in this country has really declined ever since NCLB came about. We need to fix things fast or I fear for the future of the United States once this new generation of "test takers" enters the real world completely unprepared.

My oldest child just started kindergarten a few weeks ago. I worry for her and my son as they progress through school in this new "testing era". I plan to work with them at home as much as needed to ensure they are getting all of the necessary skills that CCSS most likely will not provide. 

Why can't education just go back to the way things were when I was a kid? I mean, of course, there would be a few necessary additions to account for the changes in the world, but we didn't have all of this testing as often as it's given. 

What are things like where you live? From what I see, this is a common theme across the country. 

I just wish there was more we could do as parents and educators. When will the government and school administrators truly understand what all of this is doing to our society?

Thanks for listening! 

Check out these supplemental pics and links below: 

FACEBOOK Page to Check Out

CCSS and High Stakes Testing

Core Standards

What are the CCSS?

Testing Tips & Tidbits: Part 2

Yesterday I shared some links to some great resources to help with Test Prep for the classroom. In case you missed the post, you may click HERE.

 

Today, I happened to find 3 more amazing posts by other bloggers. I encourage you check out their ideas (click on the pictures below)! Again, if you have any ideas or tricks of your own, feel free to share!

 

Have a great Tuesday!

 

P.S. My heart and prayers go out to all of those affected yesterday by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. God Bless you all!

Smile! It's Testing Time!

Testing Round 2

Test Prep with Pep

 

Testing Tips & Tidbits

Just like many other schools across the country, our state testing begins this week. Anymore, that seems to be what schools focus on all the time, all year long. Sad isn't it?

 

Regardless of the heavy testing focus, schools are still required to administer these high stakes tests. Students are very aware of their importance, and just like on any other test, they can become anxious or nervous.

 

Thus, it's important to be even more positive with students this time of year. There are great motivational ideas and testing tips out there to help with this.

 

I am sharing a few of these below. If you have any other ideas, feel free to share! We'd all love to hear them!

 

Good luck to everyone on their state testing!

 

Free Testing Tips Bookmark

Cute Motivating Candy Labels

Testing! Testing! 1, 2, 3...

Jog Nog

Standardized Test Prep

Test Prep Stations

Soaring Through Standardized Tests: Freebie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standardized Testing: Pros & Cons?

This is a topic that I have very strong opinions about, mostly due to personal experiences as a teacher. I am not against all testing, per say, but I do think that schools and districts need to limit the amount of testing they are subjecting today's students to. 

This is my 8th year of teaching at the elementary level. Over the years, I've seen my fair share of standardized tests in the classroom. I've had to administer the yearly state tests on many occasions. I've also had to administer other fairly lengthy tests that either a district or school required on a regular basis. 

I understand that data from testing can be very useful to both a school and parents. I understand that if used correctly, it can help to address the areas of needs that a particular student may have. I am okay with that, and in fact, I encourage testing data to be used in that way. 

What I am not okay with, is subjecting students as young as age 6 to repeated, regular, lengthy, standardized tests!! I have seen way too much of that, heard about it and read about, and I have noticed so many negatives from my observations and readings. Some students have stopped trying on these tests. They have been tested so much, that they are no longer putting forth the efforts that they are capable of. Thus,the data is completely skewed now. Some students will rush through all testing that is required while others drag it out because they simply do not want to do it. This is happening at all grade levels. It is happening around the country.

If a school wants to require these types of lengthy standardized tests so often, they need to teach their teachers how to read and use the data. Many teachers do not understand the whys behind these tests, nor how to use the data appropriately. Thus, they are also not able to explain it to parents accurately. It's really an unfair situation to all involved. 

Lastly, it angers me to see how many districts and states are even considering using testing data to determine teacher effectiveness. Testing scores should NEVER be tied into teacher evaluations. Period. We cannot control how students will do on one particular testing day, nor can one test truly show that a student does in fact know subject matter. 

Students can be evaluated in so many ways. Having more than one GIANT, important standardized test per year, really doesn't seem that necessary. I remember as a kid that we only had maybe a few days of testing per school year. This year, I test more than I teach. It's a very sad reality and I worry for my own children someday. Students are tested so much throughout the year, I really do worry about how they will do on the test that really matters come springtime. 

If we are to compete globally in the education sector, things need to change and they need to change NOW! Testing has to be one area that needs to be part of this change. 

Below I am including many links. Some show the Pros of standardized testing, while others show Cons. No matter what side you agree with, one thing is for certain: Education needs to benefit the student and prepare them for the real world! Teaching them how to fill in circles, click on an answer, or just merely answer questions over and over is not teaching them valuable life skills or subject matter. 

Thanks for listening! Please feel free to add your comments as well. Have a great day!

Standardized Testing and its Victims

Effects of Standardized Testing on Teachers

and Learning—Another Look

Pros Vs. Cons

Parents & Kids Against Standardized Testing

Standardized Testing & Performance

Handling Testing Burnout

Super Speedy Typers

Even though I have my 2nd graders engage in keyboarding and typing lessons, it's really only to get them introduced to the concept of typing correctly, as well as to get them to learn the layout of the computer keyboard. The site that the students and I love the best is Dance Mat Typing.

 

However, with my 3rd and 4th graders (I don't have 5th grade this year), we really start to focus on typing speed and accuracy. I understand their little fingers are still growing and that they are still learning. However, if I give them goals and incentives to type correctly, I am finding that they work harder to truly learn where those letters are on the keyboard. We also discuss the importance of learning to type correctly.

 

Every quarter, I am giving these students the same typing test. Their goal: to improve their WPM (Words per Minute) by at least 1 each quarter. This way I know they are truly focused on learning these typing skills and they feel pride when they see they can beat their own scores. I am happy to report that out of approx. 150 3rd/4th grade students not ONE student's score went down from 1st Quarter to 2nd!! I did have a few that did not increase their score at all, but no one's went down! YAY!

 

I also made a deal with the students. Since Quarter 1's score is just a baseline to see where they were on their WPM at the beginning of the year, the goal is for them to improve at least 2 of the 3 remaining quarters of the year. While their quarterly goal is to improve by 1 each quarter (for grading purposes), I want them to also have a bigger goal to reach for.

 

I told students that for those who do meet this bigger goal over the course of the school year, they will receive a special reward in May. My thoughts is that it will most likely be a popcorn party, extra computer lab time, or even a special treasure box item. We'll see what happens.

 

With my younger students, we have just been focusing on learning the alphabet and finding the letters on the keyboard. This is a bit easier for 1st graders than it is for kindergartners, but I'm already seeing the improvements. Here are a couple of sites I've used to help them practice these skills:

 

Keyboard Zoo

Typing Rocket Jr.

 

I've created a display in my computer lab for my 3rd graders (my 4th graders are in the building next door). This way they can see their own progress and focus on trying to reach even higher WPM's. I will update this after every quarterly test.

 

 

There are lots of other fun Typing sites listed on my Live Binder site.

 

If you have any other fun sites or tips for Keyboarding, feel free to share them below or on my Facebook page.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 Super Speedy Typers Unit

 

 

 

Destressing the "Test"

I found a great link to some AWESOME suggestions for Destressing Tests. I am also including a link that has some great webtools that can be used in the classroom. I hope these are both helpful! Enjoy!

30+ Webtools for the Classroom

Ideas to Take the Stress Away

Please also be sure to check out these pages:

Facebook: Mrs. P's Ed Tech Talk

Twitter: Mrs. P's Ed Tech Talk

Sites to Help Review Basic Skills

As many schools and districts around the country gear up to start their state testing, many classrooms are trying to get in those last minute reviews and study sessions over the basic skills that they could be tested over. I know that our state testing starts next week. To help teachers and students everywhere practice and review basic skills in Math & Communication Arts, I am including a few sites below. I hope they are helpful! Enjoy!

Interactive Grammar Games

Top 10 Math Websites

Math Games & Activities

Kabongo

P.S. Due to the fact that there were no entries for the giveaway, I did not draw any names. We will try again in the near future. Thanks! :-)

Testing Tips

It's that time of year where it's crunch for most state tests. I know  in Missouri our MAP tests are usually in April.

In order to help students get geared up and motivated to do their best on tests, here are a few links to help out:

‘Recipe’ for Success | Test Taking Skills Informational Bulletin Board Idea

Showers of Testing Tips

Test Taking Tips