A fantastic veteran teacher recently wrote to Colorado’s governor that the state’s new Teacher Effectiveness Bill feels like "a slap in the face." Within the same week, a prominent newspaper featured another teacher saying that the law was a step in the right direction, as it was part of his job description to not only make kids care about tests, but do well on them. This bill, after all, ties 50% of teacher evaluations to their students’ test scores. They’re both excellent teachers, as judged by their students’ praises of them as leaders of engaging, interesting classes. I know one well, and the other one I know through reputation – a close friend of a friend sort of thing. These teachers are being judged, by people who have never even stepped foot in their classes. Assume best intent, that’s one of my mantras in life. Yet, I’m also realistic…and there’s … [Read more...]
A Race that Matters to Kids & Teens
This week has seen its share of tensions in educational politics. On one end, standardized test scores are serving as the magic bullet through which all teachers will be judged in a Teacher Effectiveness Bill that is about to pass the Colorado State Senate. On the other end, the state’s “traditional” standardized test (CSAP) might be thrown out, or at least revised for high schools if House Representative Solano gets her way. Standardized tests are a central feature in this week’s Congressional hearings about the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act too. This bantering back and forth about the appropriate role of standardized tests in American schools makes me that much more appreciative of the work that my husband and our instructors do at the Martial Arts Academy. “Standardized” tests are a central event at the Academy, just as they are in an increasing … [Read more...]
