Today while eating lunch and pretending to read my book, I couldn't help but listen to the conversation occurring next to me. As moms all over WA are talking about this week and next week, their conversation was focused on MSP (Measurement of Student Progress) testing. And Since it is going to be the topic of Monday's class I thought it would be prudent to share what I heard.
The conversation started with complaints about the number of emails they were receiving from school in preparation for the tests: nutrition, sleep, snacks in class, etc. And a very important question: "Shouldn't it be business as usual for testing? Why are we expected to behave differently?" Good question. My thought was that there isn't any other time of the year that our schools remind us to feed our children and ensure they sleep at night. Are we not expected to do those things every day?
Another question, "what are they testing for anyway?" In relation to writing, are they looking for content or grammar or both. I hope the kids know. "Who reads all these tests?" "Is it somehow automated?" "How can they be fairly judged?" "Can't they just write a story without a thousand guidelines?" While these are questions that parents are asking, I think we should consider the answers ourselves, as teachers.
The conversation ended with a discussion of how their children felt as if they are being locked in the classroom, they are starving and thirsty (the usual routines have been disrupted), and they are exhausted. Is this the purpose of the tests? Is there a better system?
As we discuss testing and tracking, I hope we will think about:
1. What is the purpose of testing?
2. Are there better options?
3. Will anyone listen to us?
4. What really matters?
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