Teacher who is hyper-focused on state testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The test is not paper and pencil. It is on the computer. Having your child initially circle the wrong answer does nothing for the teacher. It can reflect poorly on your child. These scores follow the child, like a paper trial. Considering that you are considering private, I would make sure that he does well if the school will look at these scores. The teacher will not get the scores until until next year. By then, your child will be in 9th grade and does not matter to last years teacher. The scores have nothing to do with a teachers pay or performance. Do some teachers put pressure on students? Yes, of course. OP, do everyone involved a favor and opt out.

Not necessarily true. In DCPS for example, student test scores on state assessments make up 25-35% of your final evaluation, which determines future pay and any bonus opportunity. I think a little sympathy is reasonable for teachers that have to work under that system.

I’ve also worked for a school system that tied student performance to teacher evaluations and pay. It’s extremely stressful and unfair. I took zero scores for every student who missed the test, regardless of reason, driving my evaluation down an entire performance grade. I was threatened with a performance plan for the following year, simply because I had students who didn’t test.

I resigned for many reasons, but the district’s emphasis on testing was definitely on the list. I am sorry there are teachers who deal with this, and I understand why they are so stressed about the tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The test is not paper and pencil. It is on the computer. Having your child initially circle the wrong answer does nothing for the teacher. It can reflect poorly on your child. These scores follow the child, like a paper trial. Considering that you are considering private, I would make sure that he does well if the school will look at these scores. The teacher will not get the scores until until next year. By then, your child will be in 9th grade and does not matter to last years teacher. The scores have nothing to do with a teachers pay or performance. Do some teachers put pressure on students? Yes, of course. OP, do everyone involved a favor and opt out.

Not necessarily true. In DCPS for example, student test scores on state assessments make up 25-35% of your final evaluation, which determines future pay and any bonus opportunity. I think a little sympathy is reasonable for teachers that have to work under that system.

I’ve also worked for a school system that tied student performance to teacher evaluations and pay. It’s extremely stressful and unfair. I took zero scores for every student who missed the test, regardless of reason, driving my evaluation down an entire performance grade. I was threatened with a performance plan for the following year, simply because I had students who didn’t test.

I resigned for many reasons, but the district’s emphasis on testing was definitely on the list. I am sorry there are teachers who deal with this, and I understand why they are so stressed about the tests.

I don't have sympathy for teachers who haven't left yet.

This teacher has been there for 30 years, is grouchy and should retire or move on- not punish the kids.

I've been on and off the phone all day because the GC is advocating for us; I'm almost positive other complaints have been noted.

I received information that in addition to everything that transpired related to testing that brought this to light, the teacher went out of her way to embarrass my child in front of the class.

I did speak with the VP who was appalled at whats been transpiring. Again, my student is a straight A, highly regarded student and everyone I spoke with put a lot of stock in his version of events.

I'm not a PITA parent and hardly ever speak with the school. I'm glad they trusted my students version of events and are not being at all defensive.

I don't think this teacher will be there next year.

[Anonymous]

Man just go to private school already. Can’t wait until you head bombs the SAT and by then test optional is no longer a thing.

[Anonymous]

*your son

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Hilarious, but a lot of districts use computer adaptive assessments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have experience with a teacher that is hyper-focused on state testing?

At the start of the year we attended the open house where she really laid into the importance of preparing the students for state testing at the end of the year. Since then, my child has reported that she is frequently absence, doesn't cover topics in class and insists on independent study to cover new material. For context, this is 8th grade, Algebra 1. Throughout the year we've taken note of our child's feedback and additional emails that seem to focus on state testing.

Testing is this week and the teacher continues to pressure the kids into learning material based on the test, not the concepts themselves including new concepts. My straight A student is struggling with the pressure and broke down in tears over the pressure he received this morning. The guidance counselor eluded to this being a staff issue and is recommending I speak with the vice principal.

Are teachers judged based on student performance of these tests? Is there anything that can be done to resolve this?

You may want to read the syllabus and/or rules of your school district.

Just in case you find out that your child's final grade depends on their performance on the state test, which in some school districts in VA substitutes for the final exam.
(Which I personally abhor since the state tests are generally too easy.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man just go to private school already. Can’t wait until you head bombs the SAT and by then test optional is no longer a thing.

Look at you big man, wishing ill will on a child. You want your bottle warmed up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The test is not paper and pencil. It is on the computer. Having your child initially circle the wrong answer does nothing for the teacher. It can reflect poorly on your child. These scores follow the child, like a paper trial. Considering that you are considering private, I would make sure that he does well if the school will look at these scores. The teacher will not get the scores until until next year. By then, your child will be in 9th grade and does not matter to last years teacher. The scores have nothing to do with a teachers pay or performance. Do some teachers put pressure on students? Yes, of course. OP, do everyone involved a favor and opt out.

Not necessarily true. In DCPS for example, student test scores on state assessments make up 25-35% of your final evaluation, which determines future pay and any bonus opportunity. I think a little sympathy is reasonable for teachers that have to work under that system.

I’ve also worked for a school system that tied student performance to teacher evaluations and pay. It’s extremely stressful and unfair. I took zero scores for every student who missed the test, regardless of reason, driving my evaluation down an entire performance grade. I was threatened with a performance plan for the following year, simply because I had students who didn’t test.

I resigned for many reasons, but the district’s emphasis on testing was definitely on the list. I am sorry there are teachers who deal with this, and I understand why they are so stressed about the tests.

I don't have sympathy for teachers who haven't left yet.

This teacher has been there for 30 years, is grouchy and should retire or move on- not punish the kids.

I've been on and off the phone all day because the GC is advocating for us; I'm almost positive other complaints have been noted.

I received information that in addition to everything that transpired related to testing that brought this to light, the teacher went out of her way to embarrass my child in front of the class.

I did speak with the VP who was appalled at whats been transpiring. Again, my student is a straight A, highly regarded student and everyone I spoke with put a lot of stock in his version of events.

I'm not a PITA parent and hardly ever speak with the school. I'm glad they trusted my students version of events and are not being at all defensive.

I don't think this teacher will be there next year.

I am sincerely sorry your child is dealing with this situation, but your first line projects your frustration on an entire profession. To say teachers only get your respect when they leave teaching? That’s quite an attack on the many trying to make the situation better for children like yours.

If this is the attitude you take to the school building, blaming others for things that are out of their control, then you may want to evaluate if you are “that parent”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The test is not paper and pencil. It is on the computer. Having your child initially circle the wrong answer does nothing for the teacher. It can reflect poorly on your child. These scores follow the child, like a paper trial. Considering that you are considering private, I would make sure that he does well if the school will look at these scores. The teacher will not get the scores until until next year. By then, your child will be in 9th grade and does not matter to last years teacher. The scores have nothing to do with a teachers pay or performance. Do some teachers put pressure on students? Yes, of course. OP, do everyone involved a favor and opt out.

Not necessarily true. In DCPS for example, student test scores on state assessments make up 25-35% of your final evaluation, which determines future pay and any bonus opportunity. I think a little sympathy is reasonable for teachers that have to work under that system.

I’ve also worked for a school system that tied student performance to teacher evaluations and pay. It’s extremely stressful and unfair. I took zero scores for every student who missed the test, regardless of reason, driving my evaluation down an entire performance grade. I was threatened with a performance plan for the following year, simply because I had students who didn’t test.

I resigned for many reasons, but the district’s emphasis on testing was definitely on the list. I am sorry there are teachers who deal with this, and I understand why they are so stressed about the tests.

I don't have sympathy for teachers who haven't left yet.

This teacher has been there for 30 years, is grouchy and should retire or move on- not punish the kids.

I've been on and off the phone all day because the GC is advocating for us; I'm almost positive other complaints have been noted.

I received information that in addition to everything that transpired related to testing that brought this to light, the teacher went out of her way to embarrass my child in front of the class.

I did speak with the VP who was appalled at whats been transpiring. Again, my student is a straight A, highly regarded student and everyone I spoke with put a lot of stock in his version of events.

I'm not a PITA parent and hardly ever speak with the school. I'm glad they trusted my students version of events and are not being at all defensive.

I don't think this teacher will be there next year.

I am sincerely sorry your child is dealing with this situation, but your first line projects your frustration on an entire profession. To say teachers only get your respect when they leave teaching? That’s quite an attack on the many trying to make the situation better for children like yours.

If this is the attitude you take to the school building, blaming others for things that are out of their control, then you may want to evaluate if you are “that parent”.

Op wants all the teachers to quit per her first sentence.
Maybe OP is just wanting vouchers for her kids private school next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opt your child out of testing and don’t worry about it.

How?

Testing coordinator here. Simply write a note to the school stating you are opting your child out of (name the specific test/s). That’s it. Email and hand deliver to principal and his vice principal and math teacher.


Know that staff may retaliate by opting to exclude your child from testing activities and incentives.

[Anonymous]

I thought ours was only in math being told to learn by independent study - I find it baffling.

[Anonymous]

Just write a short letter to the school principal saying DC will opt out of the Math SoL. No need to give any reason. VA law permits this. No test score trail is created for DC this way and it takes pressure off DC. Privates generally do not care about SoL scores.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the posters who say opt out of testing.
I live across the street from one of what is considered one of the best DCPS elementary schools. But heard there was a big emphasis on "teaching to the test," likely a reason why they're getting those good test scores and being rated so high.

We chose a charter school on the other side of the city, that has lower test scores but much better teacher-student ratio and over double the amount of PE per week.

Some parents just focus on those test scores though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opt your child out of testing and don’t worry about it.

How?

Testing coordinator here. Simply write a note to the school stating you are opting your child out of (name the specific test/s). That’s it. Email and hand deliver to principal and his vice principal and math teacher.


Know that staff may retaliate by opting to exclude your child from testing activities and incentives.

How is this retaliation? If the child opts out, then why should the child participate in testing activities and incentives? Wouldn’t this negate incentives if they go to everyone anyway?

And do you really think so little of teachers?

It just makes sense. If you aren’t testing, why prepare for it? If you aren’t testing, why get the same incentives as those who are?

The parent chose to remove the child. There’s no retaliation here. Just common sense.