I just think it's funny...
- Samantha Whitelaw
- Apr 6
- 2 min read
As a teacher who has been in a 'testing' grade for over 10 years, I feel like I'm able to FULLY comment on the dRaMa surrounding testing. (Honestly, after 1 year of being in a testing grade you probably have a whole lot of thoughts too ;)
The truth is that our states and counties are all up in our business about WHAT we are teaching, WHEN we are teaching, HOW we are teaching, WHO we are teaching, WHAT we use to teach the things, blah blah blah. Do they ever offer support or ask what the TEACHERS actually think? nope. Not in my experience.
OH and when you ACTUALLY do well on the BIG test? You don’t get so much as a ‘well done’ or a pat on the back. Not that we NEED a cookie each time we do well, but a little acknowledgment would be nice.
I would truly LOVE it If the 'powers that be' actually came on in, took the reigns, and did our job for the day. Even just for HALF a day. I'm not entirely sure they'd last past recess.
I didn't necessarily come here to vent to you today about the torture of testing as much as I wanted to let YOU know that whether you are a teacher, student, or parent.... standardized testing SUCKS and you're not alone. Our students aren't cookie cutter clones that can all be assessed in the same ways; and TEACHERS? Well, we already know this and we are already doing the things to help students succeed. BEYOND A STANDARDIZED TEST.
If you are not in a testing grade this year, send some love to the teachers in your building who are...the pressure can be a lot.
OOH and for my teachers who are in the trenches with me, I see you. I HEAR you. Keep doing what's best for YOU and YOUR STUDENTS. That's what matters at the end of the day.
Love, Sam