December 4, 2007
STAKE (from my goldmine http://www.etymonline.com): “post upon which persons were bound for death by burning”, recorded from c.1205.
Just a few hours ago I received an Excel spreadsheet for my student cohort of the results of what my district calls the “E/LA Pre-test.” This is basically the multiple-choice section of the NYS 7th grade English exam. (Yes– my district, being somewhat attuned to how tests actually are useful, has to administer and collate data from a second test because of the ridiculously slow turnaround and incomprehensibility of the results of the real one.)
I’m not going to discuss my kids’ results here, because they’re not actually the point. What struck me so powerfully was my reaction to the data. And people who know me might be surprised at what it was.
“Well. Look at this spread. Am I going to get in trouble? What’s the cut off point I need to worry about here? Let me get my calculator out. Hm. Looks like I’m safe. But maybe not. I’ll have to figure out which questions the kids messed up on and drill them. And I wonder if I did better than my other 7th grade colleagues in the building. ”
“I wonder if I did better…”?? Drills?
You know, I do think I am generally ego-balanced as a person. More importantly, I am steeped in a constructivist, collaborative, whole-child mindset. It is what works. It is what I believe in with all my heart. And I trust that I’ll recover my equilibrium here. But I can’t deny my discomfort.
My very first look at the “data,” and this is what comes out of me. This is what AYP and non-growth models engender. Punitive, isolating, vicious competition.
High stakes? I am tied to this stake now. Am I already burning?
December 4th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Dina-You are an exceptional educator. We must ride the wave of current practices until someone in Albany(Washington?) comes to their collective senses and realizes that testing prepares children well for 1978. Collaboration is a skill we need to hone. I am glad I can collaborate with YOU.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Dina,
I think the more steeped we become in our professional structures the more likely we are to have our first thought be political or strategic, especially within that physical environment. It is not a measure of your true value system; it was simply a reflection of the tool. The data did not take into account anything beyond the numerical statistics, and your reaction to quantitative information was objective. It has very little to with the quality of your teaching, or the abilities of your students to learn, or your subjective mind set.
I am sure that right after you finished with the self recriminations, that you also had ideas for developing better plans and tools to help your students not only achieve on the test in the future, but to succeed in the future beyond that.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Tied to the stake? Hardly. At least you know the stake exists. That’s more than most that just wonder where the heat is coming from.
Grading Regents exams is the worst part of my job. Hands down. Especially when you teach with someone who does nothing but drill and kill. Well, “used to” teach with someone… Having said that, I do the kids no service by not getting them ready. But, as Cala says, we’re spending time on things that don’t matter.
I continue to hope, and work, for change. I think it’s on the way.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Take a breath, D. You’re fine. You’re better than fine.