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Playing devil's advocate, maybe there is some benefit to the test as a documented baseline that would then show how far an ESL student has come. But teachers would need to explain to students that just making an effort is great. Students should also have the opportunity to do something else, quietly at their desk after taking a stab at the test.
And then when students do progress that fact should be highlighted to them and their parents. Of course, results arrive way to late to be really relevant to those who actually take the test.
It is refreshing and yes inspiring to witness an individual within the 'confines' of PPS saying-no-to administration and risking all to advocate for her students.
The tests are used to rank/sort/order and they do nothing to protect children from poverty and other situations that cause great NEED. Everybody is spinning on a wheel that ultimately continues to point the failures of our society towards - the teachers - the students - the parents - when the finger needs to be pointed at the politicians who refuse to create policies that actually help our children receive food, health care, books, librarians, nurses, social workers, art, music, science, modern technology, etc.
7 comments:
Playing devil's advocate, maybe there is some benefit to the test as a documented baseline that would then show how far an ESL student has come. But teachers would need to explain to students that just making an effort is great. Students should also have the opportunity to do something else, quietly at their desk after taking a stab at the test.
And then when students do progress that fact should be highlighted to them and their parents. Of course, results arrive way to late to be really relevant to those who actually take the test.
It is refreshing and yes inspiring to witness an individual within the 'confines' of PPS saying-no-to administration and risking all to advocate for her students.
Absolutely. May this trickle become a flow of teachers taking back their right to speak on behalf of their students.
Yes____the story here is less about the PSSA and more about this individuals willingness to go ' public'. Indeed a rare perspective.
46 comments on the thread at the P-G site.
The tests are used to rank/sort/order and they do nothing to protect children from poverty and other situations that cause great NEED. Everybody is spinning on a wheel that ultimately continues to point the failures of our society towards - the teachers - the students - the parents - when the finger needs to be pointed at the politicians who refuse to create policies that actually help our children receive food, health care, books, librarians, nurses, social workers, art, music, science, modern technology, etc.
Too bad there isn't a "like" button for that last comment!
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