I think that there does have to be testing, but no...

2008-04-12T23:05:00.000-04:00

I think that there does have to be testing, but not like this. As a Texas Teacher in a low socio-economic area, I see first hand how this test is tearing our district apart and burning out teachers left and right. No one wants to be a failure with the kids, and yet we are constantly put into a position where we are set up to fail. You know, it would be different if every subject were tested yearly and that there were a pre and post test to measure growth, but all this test does is set up a perpetual game of catch up. Each year a different subject is tested along with Math and Reading. In Elementary what this means is that Reading and Math have become the only subjects taught in K-3, writing is added in 4th and 5th grade Science (which is a cumulative test for grades k-5) Basically, the 4th grade teachers teach writing all year long because every math and reading are taught in isolation, and so the very first time a child learns to write essays is in 4th grade, not to mention that since only personal narrative is the only topic tested, elementary students only learn personal narative. In 5th grade the students get a crash course in science over 49 testable TEKS that should have been taught during K-4, but were dropped in lieu of Reading, Math and Writing. Out of the 100 students in a grade level at my school, about half are sent to after school tutoring and saturday TAKS camps to try to play catch up.

The reason why this test is such a bear is because of the lack of support by TEA. Teachers are not trained to learn what how to interpret the texas TEKs because quite frankly I don't even think they know what how to interpret them. Each year we are sent to inservices reviewing release tests trying discovering all the new ways the TEKS are tested, trying to find a pattern or a way to beat the test (a strategy to help the kids)

So why arent we just upfront about what we want the kids to learn? Why arent their comprehensive explanations as to what is expected instead of trying to guess? Why arent we supplied with data that shows where our kids are low and suggestions from the state on how to help them instead of each district being placed in a sink or swim situation? Lots of book companies and TAKS practice programs trying to guess and take the money... No one really out to help the kids to meet these standards.

TAKS is changing the way teachers teach and ruinin...

2007-10-29T11:50:00.000-04:00

TAKS is changing the way teachers teach and ruining any enthusiasm students have for learning. First graders are being trained to respond in TAKS format. How sad is that? Yes, let's get rid of TAKS! I wish politicians would catch on to your point that students' scores are directly related to their parents' incomes and educational levels.

Comments on Schools Matter: "the TAKS Nazis we have morphed into"

I think that there does have to be testing, but no...

TAKS is changing the way teachers teach and ruinin...