Reply #23: Test the kids all year long............

[maynard]

Last year we had five major rounds of testing. Everything we teach focuses on what will be on the test. These tests are in addition to the regular spelling tests, social studies tests, english tests, math tests, etc. We are now using valuable teaching time to test. Creativity in teaching no longer exists. Teaching is now focused on teaching to the test. We have state standards and district standards which dictate what will be taught. They don't exactly line up with NCLB. Can you say teacher shortage?

Our teachers union, NEA is focusing on lobbying congress. Most people think that all the union has to do is say no to NCLB. They can't. NCLB is the law. You don't break the law, you work on changing the law. Unions on the local/state/national levels focus on fair working conditions/salary/health care for it's teachers based on the negotiated contracts with the school district and the union. Lobbying efforts on the national, state and local levels focus on bringing about improvements to enhance education for all of those involved, districts, teachers and students. All things have to be worked on within the law and negotiated contracts.

I was listening to Seansky Hannity yesterday for a few moments and of course he was the undisputed authority on the evil teacher unions.
Without teacher unions, no one would become a teacher. Teaching would be considered a calling from God. Teachers would have to give up all their worldly possessions and to live under freeway overpasses.

My frustration with NCLB testing is just starting to boil. I get to focus all of my instruction time to prepare for "the tests." We will now produce kids who can pass standardized tests. They won't be able to fill out job applications, but they will be able to take standardized tests.

(Howard Deal howl..................)