Brenda and Kathy,
Here is my optimistic but absolutely serious question. Is it possible for us
to "play the game", do a half-hearted job of what is being required us in
terms of summatives , desperately trying to move level 2 to level 3 ,
pressure pressure pressure, etc. AND still be true to what we believe is
good teaching? I think I am beginning to do that more and more because I am
so adamant that this testing movement is so sad for the children. I am happy
to say that it is easier than I thought (to talk the talk but walk my own
walk) and I feel I am a much better teacher if I do follow my heart and
teach as I think the children want to be taught, (without telling
anyone!)The one thing I can't get around is the exorbitant amount of time I
seem to be out of my class doing collaborative work around the summatives! I
want to just teach!!!!!! So, I find myself doing my own little silent
rebellion and focusing on "formative", the day day good teaching that I love
so much. Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Also, can you tell me
what your acronyms stand for? I am sure I will kick myself for not guessing
but I am lazy tonight!
Julia
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 9:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] summatives
Brenda,
I wholeheartedly agree with you that all this RTI required testing is worse
than what came about under NCLB and AYP. We have to "probe" tier 2 kids
every 2 weeks in addition to all the formative and summative assessments.
Teachers in my district all feel that we just don't teach anymore. We do
assessments that bear no relationship to our curriculum and then teach
things that have lesser value (ie. fluency rather than comprehension)
because it is easier to measure in a standardized way.
I am just sadden by what the children are losing out on.
Kathy
-----Original Message-----
From: Brenda White-Keller <[email protected]>
To: mosaic <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, Dec 26, 2011 2:52 pm
Subject: [MOSAIC] summatives
My district mandates a formative (district made with teacher input) every
3-4
weeks, and a summative or trimester test before report cards. We use a
program
called "Measures" that allows you to see how your class performed overall
and by
individual standards. I feel like we test, test, test, test. The district
also
pulls the trimester scores and compares schools. Unfortunately they are
comparing EO schools to Title 1 schools and the latter don't fare as well.
Bah
Humbug...for testing. Yes, the info drives the curr. but I feel we are
cheating
the students in so many ways. I just don't agree to teaching to the test.
Probably didn't answer your question, but it felt good to share.
Brenda
CA/4
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