It's FCAT Time
posted by kate @ 4:57 PM
10 comments
Out in Left Field
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Monday, February 26, 2007
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10 Comments:
You forgot to mention in the article that standardized tests, like the FCAT, lead to less history classes and gym recess in schools. That leads to overweight, obese kids. These obese kids grow up to be fat adults that get jobs in the pentagon and have no idea what history and culture means.
Great article though, Jayron will appreciate it!
Another teacher not wanting to be accountable for her abilities or lack there of go figure!!!!
FCAT does blow! And not just for the teachers, anonymous. Only season I look less forward to is IEP season! And again - not just for the teachers, anonymous.
I agree with Danny. Also, too often teachers "teach to the test" because it is difficult to do it any other way, with time constraints and material to cover. I've never administered the FCAT but I have administered the CSAP, CO's equivalent. I believe it blows as well. I'm not convinced it is best practice for children, and that is what I've dedicated my life's work to, what is best for them. I'm also not saying that the ideas I have for assessment are foolproof or would even work for every child, but we should be considering them first as individuals and that a one size fits all test doesn't work. I'm just sayin...
Anonymous, your succinct statement concerning teachers not wanting to be accountable is important to understand. I am tired too of teachers hiding behind FCAT as a way to shirk their responsibility to the student and parent. The way I see it teachers need to be more transparent like other professionals.
Take the medical profession. Anyone can simply call his or her doctor and ask to see any negative files or litigation papers in that doctor’s possession. If you want to know how many died under the doctor’s care, simple ask the reception to make copies of those patients’ files and shoot them over to you. One can call any hospital and ask to see all records of doctors whose patients have died while at the hospital. Call the state licensing bureau and ask for all doctors’ names in your area whose patients have died in the last, oh say, two years.
Then there are attorneys. All one has to do is call the attorney’s office and ask for any and all files of clients who have lost cases. Of course, one realizes that the names will be blocked out for privacy, but at least the shear number of cases can be observed. Better yet, call the state bar and ask to see all names of attorney are who have lost or had negative rulings against them in your city. These are all easily attainable records.
So, my question is when teachers are going to come out into the sunshine and open up their records to the parents of their students? When will teachers start conferencing with parents to discuss a student’s progress? When will something like progress reports become available for parents to see exactly how their children are doing in school? When will parents have full access to a teacher’s email to maintain daily contact if desired? When are statistics going to become available to the public for scrutiny? Do you see where I am going here? When will teachers become accountable like doctors and lawyers?
Anonymous, you go! And you keep on going—please!
Goader and Anon...
Teaching, unlike the law or medicine, requires for success that both parties work just as hard. Granted, if I want my heart to keep beating I need more than just a by-pass. But if I die or not on that table is ENTIRELY up to the doctor (and the other medical staff present of course). A lawyer is the expert in the law and it is his or her expertise and skill at interpreting and researching the law that will determine the outcome of the trial (for the most part).
While a teacher can teach and teach and teach and give every student his or her full attention and they can still fail. Why? Because if the student doesn't care to or doesn't want to learn they will not.
I cannot lie on an operating table and kill myself despite the best efforts of the doctor. I cannot sit in a courtroom and convict myself despite the best efforts of the lawyer. But I can sure as hell sit in a classroom and be a dumb-ass despite the best efforts of the teacher.
"When will teachers start conferencing with parents to discuss a student’s progress? When will something like progress reports become available for parents to see exactly how their children are doing in school?" Have you ever been in school? Ever had a child in school? If you have, then this is the single most asinine statement I've read in weeks. And GWB has been making speeches lately...
I'll start holding teachers accountable right after society starts holding parents responsible for their children (in all ways, not just educationally).
And besides, any standardized test is "defeatable" by any student with half a brain.
Jeff—
Your characterization and explanation of the reciprocal role of teacher and student is eloquent and one of the best I have heard. The way you contrasted the doctor patient and lawyer client, again, was right on target. It is so easy for lazy uncaring people to simply say “Oh, another teacher not wanting to be accountable,” than it is to realize the complexities involved in educating young folks. You explained it beautifully; I can add nothing to it.
I know my dry sense of humor and desire to goad my opponent can be perplexing at times (it is to me and I am saying it), but I think if you will read my earlier comment to Anonymous with an ear for sarcasm you will see it differently.
Thank you for the supportive and kind words. I am a teacher of high school students and your sober thoughts on the issue are appreciated.
Together, let’s hope Anonymous keeps on going and going right on out of Hillsborough County and in to a county far, far away.
Goader - I must admit you had me going there. I was thinking to myself - what a flipping idiot. We do all these things and then some and then some more and then some more! Christ! Glad to know you DO get it!
My current principal has a saying that goes something like this: Every student has the right to be an idiot. But being an idiot does not given him/her the right to keep others from learning. He is the first principal I have worked for who has taken this approach. Maybe that is why I work for him - as I see this very much the same way. I will stand on my head and spit wooden nickels if it will help a student learn but I cannot force them to learn. While I refuse to write any student off, I prefer to spend my time focusing on those kids who do want to learn and who are willing to make the sacrifice to learn!
Auty--
Sometimes I wish for a one-way mirror so that the parent of a particularly disruptive student could observe without being seen. What an eye-opener that would be for some parents.
It amazes me during parent conferences when a disruptive student is present how very different they behave under those circumstances. Is it any wonder why sometimes the parent cannot understand there is a problem with their little darling.
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