TESTify

   This week started TAKS review for my Pre-AP classes. Regular science classes have been doing this for 2 weeks already. We have a lot that we have to cover in the eleventh grade. My classes do about 2 weeks of biology review and then do one week of chemistry before the test at the end of the month. The fact of the matter is that we have to prepare even the Pre-AP kids. Pressure is up for kids to not only pass the test but them to make a commended score, which is basically a 90%. This push for bigger and better scores has made it harder for us to spend time on things other than TAKS. Regular classes in science and math spend 5 weeks reviewing every day, some Pre-AP classes spend 5 weeks before the test getting ready for it.
  As teachers, we have an expectation for our students to score well on tests that encompase 3 years worth of knowledge. When they reach 11th grade the pressure is on the kids and the teacher to make sure that our passing rate is high enough to keep the school where we need to be. The pressure for educators is that if we fail, if our kids fail, we could get the school taken over by the state. This is not going to happen for most schools or districts. Instead we fight for the Recommended or the Exemplary title. These are titles that the state gives you if you have a certain number of kids that pass the test. School districts want them because they look good. Teachers and parents want to be associated with a school that meets one of those standards.
  With these pressures that exist for the district, the student, and the teacher, it is easy to understand the need that we place in the review. As much as I do not like doing it; I understand the need and the work that has to go into preparing these kids. I asked one of the children that I teach "how was the review yesterday." She said that it was "easy but something I needed." When it comes to graduation kids take this test seriously. The threat of not graduating provides that coveted motivation. Tomorrow I will soldier on, reviewing for the next few weeks until we take the test and I will hold my breath and wait.

Until tomorrow,

Much education today is monumentally ineffective.  All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.  ~John W. Gardner