This is CMT (Connecticut Mastery Test) time in Connecticut. Every K-8 teacher, every parent of a K-8 student knows that this is a very intense period. The testing, traditionally conducted in the fall, has been shifted to the spring to meet the requirements of NCLB. I wonder what effect this has had on the run-up to the test—the period of intense test preparation that precedes the test.
Many teachers in the past expressed their preference for the fall administration of the tests which frankly puzzled me at first. Well, their reasoning invariably went like this: “We knew that the first four weeks of school would be given over to intensely reviewing the previous year’s material in preparation for the test. We then administered the tests and for the remainder of the year were able to teach to the curriculum as opposed to exclusively focusing on the test.”
Now all that is changed. I wonder if I were to talk to those same teachers today how they would describe the impact of this dramatic change of when the tests are administered. My guess is that things have gotten worse. That the test preparation is longer in duration and, if anything, more intense. I hope I am wrong. I also hope that teachers and parents who read this will share their perceptions.
13 responses so far ↓
Ruth // March 11, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Just received my newspaper and noticed story about this new blog. It’s a dialogue that needs to happen. Yes, the stakes have gotten even higher with testing. How do we tell our kids to keep trying, but also not be devastated when their scores are not as high as they’d like. We need to keep their self esteem intact.
Ellen // March 12, 2008 at 2:59 pm
What about the CAPT testing going on in the high schools? For 2 weeks, students not being tested are losing 2 valuable hours of class time per day so these tests can be given to 10th graders. What are kids supposed to learn when their classes are 1/2 hour a day? What a waste!
Tom // March 13, 2008 at 9:02 pm
As a parent, I find the emphasis that is placed on standardized testing and test scores is unfair to the students. Due to No Child Left Behind guidelines, schools are almost forced to “teach to the test” in order to ensure they meet the percentage criteria for each year. I find that the weeks leading up to the testing are fragmented and unproductive for the students. If the curriculum is sound and based on the standards that are being tested, there should be no reason for teachers to halt/alter their lesson plans in order to prepare for the standardized test. If the government wants to be sure that everyone is receiving a fair and equal education, they should institute benchmarks that can be evaluated without disrupting the education of our children.
Marie // March 13, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I totally agree that learning is more than a test score. There are children who do not do well on standardized testing and their self-esteem suffers due to low test scores. A lot of emphasis is placed on test results, as districts are being held accountable due to the No Child Left Behind guidelines. It seems that so much energy is put into preparing for the standardized tests that teachers are almost forced to “teach to the test,” rather than spend the entire school year getting the students successfully through the curriculum.
I am amazed that a test given in the early part of Spring, is used to evaluate the entire year of curriculum content. I find that teachers are forced to rush through concepts in order to give students a “crash course” in some topics in order to be familiar with them on the state test. I have also found (with my children) this further shakes their confidence, because they feel they should understand the concepts, but haven’t been given enough time to completely learn and practice what is being taught.
I understand the need to evaluate whether a district is performing up to nationally accepted standards, but I do not think the current method of testing accomplishes that goal. It seems more disruptive than it is worth.
Perhaps the U.S. should look at how other countries are evaluating (and educating) their students, since we fall short of the mark and are not competitive enough on a global level?
Steve // March 16, 2008 at 12:50 pm
As a secondary special education teacher, the past 2 weeks administering the CAPT have been a complete waste of my time and the students’ time. I am observing students with looks of absolute dejection before, during, and after the test.
In the Alternative Program, one of the goals is to get the kids excited to come to school each day. These tests do the opposite. I develop my curriculum using thematic units and in doing so, I do not teach to a standardized test. The units are designed to incorporate all subjects and to present the students with a deeper understanding of the topics covered. I have the students develop and present hands-on projects to teach what they have learned throughout their studies. How is that measured on a standardized test? The answer is it can’t be.
Hopefully, we will have an administration take over after this Bush crew to develop an act that will not leave students behind.
RAEANNE // March 16, 2008 at 2:20 pm
This testing has turned into a joke. After working 33 years as a grammar school teacher I find there is very little left to be able to teach due to the paper work and testing which, as you know, is only able to be used to receive money for the school system if it makes the grade. At the same time the children lose out.
Mark // March 16, 2008 at 6:15 pm
When teachers are worried that their jobs are on the line if their students do poorly on the CMTs, something is wrong with the system! I wholeheartedly agree about CAPT testing and the waste of time for the students not involved. It will be great to check back here and see what others say, especially now that CMTs are winding down in most towns. Guess I’ll wait by my school mailbox until November when the scores come back!!
Rachel // March 17, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I know first hand that teaching is more than a test score. The children that we teach each have their own story and it is impossible to put them all into the same category. As the standards continue to rise, so does the tremendous pressure that is put on students and teachers for ALL students to be reading on grade level. The bottom line is that ALL of our students will never be in exactly the same place, they are unique individual learners with different needs. I challenge anyone who questions this to come and try my job for a day.
Jamahl // March 17, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I often feel as though my creativity, style, and teaching philosophy are challenged because teaching to a test goes against my fundamental principles regarding education. Canned lessons don’t work. Enriching curriculum, creativity, and passion for the content makes for a successful learning experience. Let’s get back to that way of thinking. We all know that fresh is best and canned should be banned.
Kathy // March 18, 2008 at 6:03 pm
While I don’t agree that testing is a complete waste of time, I do believe the way the tests are being administered is really ruining our schools. 3 weeks of testing in an elementary school is draining EVERYBODY! In 12 years, I have never seen morale so low. One of my colleagues was in tears today, because she feels after all this effort, her kids are not performing up to goal. I, myself, am losing the joy in my job. The kids are great, but the stress from above is out of control! I’m currently pursuing job opportunities overseas, so I can remember why I got into this field in the first place.
Stacy // March 20, 2008 at 10:23 am
I agree with all these people. We are taught to teach to the individuals and modify to their needs. These tests are completely opposite of that. These tests are saying that EVERYONE should be reading at grade level, EVERYONE should be able to do ALL the same things.
I once got a letter with a metaphor on it comparing football to education. Not everyone can play football, and we certainly don’t force everyone to play. And that is accepted with sports. The same thing should be applied to education. It will only hurt the students’ self-esteem and drag them down further if we continually force them to be in a grade level that does not suit them. Tests might be worth while if they were tested in their level of capability.
The fact that every state has its own tests and its own standards is incomparable. There is no way we can compare our tests to any other state.
Gary // March 31, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Enough with the whining about NCLB. Schools are failing and the only way to determine which ones are failing is through testing. With the vast sums of money spent on public education the taxpayers have a right to demand some accountability. Vouchers would have accomplished far better results but of course the education community fought that one too. Get over it, NCLB is here to stay.
Lee // April 5, 2008 at 8:40 pm
To Gary, if you believe that testing shows accountability then you are sadly mistaken. As a person just entering the teaching field I believe your comments are no where near the truth. I was educated in Connecticut’s public school system and was subjected to taking the standardized tests.
Teaching is about discovering new things, challenging our students and helping them reach their potential. Most school districts provide trimester tests and monthly progress monitoring. There is no need for additional tests. My son is a 4th grader and by the 3rd day of testing he is exhausted. Why should elementary school students feel anxiety and stress over tests? I’m also a former reading tutor and I can tell you there are many students who will not pass the test because they are not on grade level. Why not provide them with extra reading and math support during these times? Gary, do you know how terrible a third grader feels when they are forced to take a test and they are at a first grade reading level? That’s like giving you a test in a foreign language you might be vaguely familiar with and then expecting you to pass.
I also based my graduate thesis on NCLB and there are serious flaws. If you don’t think that money is a driving force then you are mistaken. It has nothing to do with tax payers, it has more to do with the testing companies. Testing is a big money making venture. Actually, after researching NCLB for my thesis, I dug up a few articles on the Pres. relationship to someone who owns a company geared to testing supplies etc.