I'm going to get on my soapbox here in a minute, but I'll say the happy stuff first, then you can leave if you don't want to hear me gripe and complain. :)
Today we begin our state testing. In 4th grade we basically take 4 state tests. The computerized tests are in reading, math, and science. We also do a writing test which is all on paper. Today we began our reading test. Students take this test for 3 days. Each day they read 2-3 passages and answer 8-12 questions on each passage. This test asks them questions about the main idea, identifying details, setting, characters, making inferences, understanding the author's purpose, and classifying. I think my students are soooo ready for this test! I also think that after it's done it will be a big burden off their shoulders. 4th graders shouldn't have to worry so much about this, but that's the world we live in.
Next week we'll begin our writing test, this is something we do in class. I can't help at all. It's entirely up to the kids. We have until halfway through May to finish, but I thought we might as well get all of our testing out of the way, then enjoy the last 3 weeks of school without that stress.
In 2 weeks we'll take the math test. This is another computerized test and like the reading test, it counts for AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) with NCLB (No Child Left Behind). Last year our school did not make AYP in Math, so we have been working our tails off this year. I think my students are ready for the math test. We have 2 more weeks to get ready, so we'll see how it goes. They are pretty burned out in math, so we're doing centers in math this week. They are enjoying it so far.
The last test we'll take here in April is the science test. It does not count for AYP. It is also a shorter test that only takes 2 testing sessions instead of 3. 4th grade is the only grade in elementary to take the science assessment. Boy, did I pick a fun testable grade!! Seems like all we've been doing is preparing for tests all year... Which brings me to my next point...
For all those of you who don't want to hear the griping, I hope you enjoyed the blog, have a wonderful day! :)
For those of you who don't know, let me explain No Child Left Behind to you. While I think it began with good intentions, I don't think it was well thought through towards the end of the program. No Child Left Behind says that each year a school has to make AYP (addequate yearly progress), basically, that means that each year the school has to be getting better and test scores need to be increasing. By 2014 100% of students are expects to be able to pass the assessment. First of all, it's crazy to think that all students will be able to pass. We will always have students with special needs, with learning disabilities, students who are not native to this country who struggle with language, and students who just don't give a rat's hiney.
Each year the "Meets Standards" percentage is going up, along with the percentage of students who must meet standards to make AYP. Let me now explain "Meets Standards". There are 5 categories students can score into. I'll talk about the math scores because I have those numbers memorized.
Academic Warning (1) is a student who scored 0-53% on the test, this score does not pass.
Approaches Standards (2) is a student who scores 54-62% on the test, this score does not pass.
Meets Standards (3) is a student who scores 63-79% on the test, this score passes!!
Exceeds Standards (4) is a student who scores 80-88% on the test, this score passes!!
Exemplary (5) is a student who scores 89-100% on the test, this score passes!!
This year we need 88% of our students to score "Meets Standards" or above. That means in 4th grade 40 out of our 45 students have to pass the test.
To give you a little demographic of my school, in the 4th grade we have 6 students who don't speak English as their native language. We have 4 other students who speak English as a second language, but are proficient enough in English to be exited from the program. We have 6 students in 4th grade who are in special education because of mental impairments, learning disabilities, or behavior disorders. We have about 5 students consistantly performing below grade level. And out of all that adversity, all but 5 students have to pass the test. It's ridiculous!!
NCLB was designed to keep teachers accountable and to ensure that students were learning the curriculum that the state said they needed to. While I do think that teachers should be held accountable, I think it's absolutely unrealistic to think that 100% of students will be able to pass the test, ever!! This year in math my 4th graders have to score a 63% to pass. Next year 91% of students will be expected to score 66%. In 2013, 96% of students will be expected to score at least 69%. Then in 2014, 100% of students will be expected to score at least a 72% on their tests! Can you believe the nerve of these legislators?!?!?!?
I propose a new reality show. Let's put those snotty law makers who are cutting state education funding *cough*brownback*cough* into a classroom for a month. Make them teach and grade and plan lessons that meet state standards. Then, at the end of the month, we'll test the students and see if they have learned what they were expected to. If they don't, we'll take away money and supplies from the legislator/teacher and make them go another month, always with the promise that if students don't make gains, we'll cut your funding. Eventually, we'll give that legislator 25, 30, 35 students to deal with, claiming that the budget caused us to have to cut teachers and now class sizes are bigger. Also, keep making gains, or we'll take stuff away from you, no more money. Also, I propose that during this reality show, these legislators have to live on a teacher's salary. UGH!!! It drives me crazy how they keep cutting our funding, yet insisting we make gains.
This is not a good time to be a teacher. I'm happy that I have a job right now, but as I look forward at moving and finding a new job in a new town, I wonder if teaching is the way to go. In a field that always promised job security, even teachers who have been in the classroom for a while wonder if they get to return the following year. I wonder, as NCLB approaches 2014, if I even want to be a teacher. It's a sad reality, but this is not the job I signed up for. I hate worrying whether I will have a job. I hate worrying that my class size will get up to 37 again before we hire another teacher. I hate having to stress students out about testing. I thought this job was going to be different. The government is punishing the public education system. I know we will see the effects of these changes on schools in the years to come. I weep for the state of this world in the future.
That's my rant.
Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be teachers.
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