One of the hottest topics of our problem sessions Student Problem Solver workshop staff development has got to be shocked participants' to see the damage caused by overzealous evaluation tests at the state level. As you may know, some States have become so concerned to measure student progress, many have very stringent test. In some regions, the teacher and administrator employment and / or salaries are based on test scores. In at least one state, the staff were caught forging test results. In another state, the schools are actually given report cards, and graded, with some schools failing. In other regions, professional sports team mascots and cheerleaders are hired to urge students to score well.
In one, some tests assessing progress, requires students to write an essay. A teacher wrote the local newspaper to tell of his dismay when one of his students wrote his essay on his return to school after a period of neglect because it was facing serious difficulties. The essay was judged unsatisfactory when he got the test on measures such as grammar, punctuation, etc. The teacher now had the difficult situation of having a young, vulnerable student receiving a failing score on an extremely sensitive subject. Worse, it seems the story of the student would focus even though the essay was not to mourn the death of his mother, or to describe the beating of his sister. There is no provision for regular testing of students with special needs, or take into account special circumstances. This rigidity is true in many states that use tests progress.
Teachers and counselors who come to our shop often ask if there are approaches that might work better than they view as "education at all costs," when students are expected to produce under pressure regardless of any family problem, disability, crisis, or personal horror that a child can live with. There are much better ways, and some of the best, are described below. But the evidence does not abandon the children challenged instability under pressure. Favorite 13 years, B + easy roll honorable mention, doesn't-even-close-study, usually imperturbable student recently broke into tears, terrified that she failed the tests tenth of a degree that will face that are still more than two years away!
Here are adaptations to consider:
** What could replace "Education at all costs?"
So often adults have two ways to educate young people in difficulty. Some adults say that no matter if the child is beaten, or goes fast, or whatever the danger, the child must still complete the tasks on time, taking tests, etc. This heap can more misery on the shoulders of a young man deeply troubled. Others take the opposite tact and say that will not add to the problems of the child, so do not expect much from them. Unfortunately, this means that the child can not receive the education they still need. Instead of these two extremes, finding the balance between these points of view: do not abandon your mission, but not realize any cost.
** Understand that pain exists
mental health professionals can not be shocked by the surprisingly high number of children in pain. The literature suggests that perhaps 10% of children (or a family member) may struggle with substances, 10% may be emotionally disturbed; 20-30% may address the sexual abuse or incest; 10-15% may face verbal emotional or physical abuse. Although these numbers do not take into account the overlap in these groups, which is a lot of guys in front of a lot of pain.
** Stop Pressure
There are ways to evoke the desire to perform well should not be seen as pressure. So many teachers feel the pressure being exerted in their state is absolutely conterproductive the trials and probably right. Rather than pressure, education show how skills will be needed in the adult world, and how critical they are completed the children ', rather than about learning skills to score well on assessment tests. Education is designed to prepare children for the adult world, not to take the tests.
Kids Train by Students **
We do not formally train young people to be students. Very few schools have a formal written plan to teach-down frequency, punctuality, motivation to take the test, task management, discussion skills, like focus, etc. If these nuts and bolts skills are systematically taught instead of only be expected, most children could learn more, and yes, test scores could be strengthened.
Kids Train ** to manage anxiety and problems
It also does not teach students how to handle big problems at home, and anxiety about tests and school. Learning management problems and how to overcome anxiety are skills a child will need a lifetime, and yes, could improve test scores.
Teachers ** Stop micro-managing
In many states, teachers are treated as money grubbing scum. Teachers are the most important works of the world, often for modest pay, and without thanks, and also served as a parent, psychologist, nurse and pastor of many lost souls. Instead of doing jobs of teachers' harder, give them more support and better training. Most teacher training today is geared to tackle big social and emotional problems that arrive every day with the children. There are also schools where classes include a huge 38 young and the sky can be seen through the holes in the classroom. We expect teachers to teach against all odds, everything always criticize them and reducing their budgets.
** Stop one-size-fits-all testing
Few accommodations are made all in test performance. A child who was raped last night, or sleeping under a bridge, or witnessed horrific domestic violence, has yet to play. Nobody wants to lower the standards, but build in some sort of breathing room to students with severe or pronounced difficulties, disability, crises, cultural differences, ethnic differences, language differences, etc. In one state, many schools had a low status level test were common with many members of the minority group. little effort seems to have been made to ensure that these tests were fair to the children who were different from the dominant culture. Thus, their school failed.
** Stop Telling Schools Flunk
Imagine being a child of six years and feel that your school failed. Imagine the impact on you, especially if they struggle academically, or have a low opinion of yourself, or already living with racial prejudice, or are a new immigrant feeling adrift in a new world ... where even your school flunks. Let's find the most adult reference to schools that struggle.
If you want to see how the world looks at education from outside the box, be sure to check the hundreds of amazing, wonderful methods and ideas on our website. You will not find a focus on the contents or evidence, but there are common sense methods that work to build motivation, refusal to stop working to help young people traumatized and improve class participation.
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