True, teachers have been teaching their tails off and students have been learning a lion share. But to devote precious moments to this? To pretend as if this school year has been anything than normal? To say to our students, "Please place recent traumas and fears away from your testing area. Proctors are not permitted to answer questions about our ongoing pandemic and the countless consequences we now face. This is an untimed test, so unlike other educational resources this year, you'll be given all the time you need. You may enter your ID and pin number now. Do your best, and good luck."
Some may see the bright side of the end-of-year assessments. We interviewed one educator who said, "I'm approaching the whole thing with curiosity." No surprise, her Clifton strength is optimism. "We're doing great under the circumstances. Chances are good that we'll be pleased by the results." While we applaud all the brave teachers--optimists and otherwise--enough is enough. It's March. Approximately 60% of students are returning to the building in a hybrid model. Most of us are finding the silver lining there, where it belongs, in the long-awaited chance to meet some students face-to-face.
The state should pull back on their plan to administer standardized tests this year. This is an opportunity to lead with a vision. Now is the time to show students what we truly value. We can shift priorities away from a test score and celebrate innovation, resilience, and compassion. That's the way to bring proper closure to this slip-n-slide of a school year.
Remember: When the proctor announces, "You may begin," you have a right to say, "No thanks."
No thanks, indeed. So much heart and sense in this post. Can you imagine- "Please place recent traumas and fears away from your testing area. Proctors are not permitted to answer questions about our ongoing pandemic and the countless consequences we now face. This is an untimed test, so unlike other educational resources this year, you'll be given all the time you need."
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line is that "this is the opportunity to show students what we really value." I think that's a wonderful way to put this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLoving that last line! I need to work on saying that more often.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree, and you've expressed this sentiment cleverly and artfully.
ReplyDeleteThis teacher agrees with your "no thanks"- trying to finesse the schedule for proctoring and administration after the herculean feat of return to school and concurrent teaching seems absurd.
ReplyDeleteSlip-n-slide of a school year indeed!
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