Across America, cheating on standardized tests is becoming a big issue; but not by the students. Texas is discovering a vast number of teachers who have bent the rules in big ways just to get a better grade from students and raise their . Bob Schaeffer from USA Today has a few very practical suggestions on how to handle this emerging issue. He explains that since the test results are all that matter there is a large amount of pressure on teachers and schools to make those numbers look good. I know a handful of teachers here in Austin and they all agree that standardized testing misses the whole point of teaching. Teachers have to focus on “drilling in” information into student’s brains from a pretty narrow curriculum. Because of this, students really miss out on learning the real, everyday, important material that most adults today covered as young students. These tests were made to improve education, yet it is having the opposite effect.
Schaeffer suggests that basic classroom standards encourage learning and can measure the student’s span of knowledge much better. This includes things like student essays, projects, and regular classroom tests, where the teacher can still be assessed to make sure they are grading accurately.
The teachers I know personally love teaching, that’s why those chose the profession. But the “high-stakes” standardized testing - required under No Child Left Behind - is hurting more than it is helping. I completely agree with Bob Schaffer’s view and appreciate that he actually offers valid ideas for fixing the problems with the system rather than just scrutinizing teachers. He explains the problem and offers a solution. That’s my kind of writer!!
