This week I submitted my MAP-A binders to my principal. The MAP is the standardized test in the state of Missouri and the the MAP-A is the alternative version for the small percentage of special education students who can not take traditional tests. I had three tenth graders participate. For each I had to write four specific activities that showed acquisition of four grade level learning requirements in math. Each activity had to be tested six times over the period of two months. It's a bit of work and really the creating and writing of activities that my students can actually do was the tricky part. Alas I did it and turned in my volumes of work to my principal.
Wait...Did you see what I did there? I was the one really being tested...I was tested on how well I can creatively write an activity that I can assure my student can do. That is correct, my tenth grader who can't tie her own shoes is advanced in the grade level learning requirements for math in the state of Missouri. How can this be? Why is this common practice? Well, it's a simple answer... our government has made it so and I prefer to stay employed.
Of course, it would be this week that fellow teacher and running buddy Wendie would post two amazing articles that provoke deep thought into the matter I just discussed. The first article is from the Washington Post and was written by a teacher out west who truly understands the dilemma. Data, it is all about the data. She robs children of their innocence for the sake of data. She knows it is not right, but after all, it is her data she can produce that keeps her employed year to year. The second article is from Education Week. This is a great blog that helps make the connection between product driven environments and schools. For example, a business is not going to continually spend money to market a product that no one wants. It is a waste of time and energy and this is proven by the lack of dollars being brought in to the pockets of the businessmen. Now think about that product as children and the money as test scores. Should a teacher stop investing in children that are not going to bring the test scores that are so desired?
All of this is just some food for thought. Clearly, I hope readers understand the perspective I hold on the issues. As I am tired, my head hurts and thinking about things such as this that bring me down so much, I will save my further ranting for another day.
