DC CAS - Why was my teacher pulled out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if the playground is in close proximity to the testing classrooms, your child won't get recess.

These two weeks of testing are horrible for nearly every child in the building.

Indeed. But administrators in both public and charter schools believe that "There is nothing more important than ensuring that these test results are accurate and free of cheating." That's a direct quote from the ED of the PCSB Scott Pearson. Amazing to me. NOTHING about our school systems and our teaching is more important than these effing tests?

http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/Blog/

[Anonymous]

That's awful and depressing. Why do these tests take so long anyway? The SAT is, what, three hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just learned that my child's first grade teacher was pulled out of her classroom to help with testing over the last three days (half-day each day). When she was out of the classroom, there was a substitute. So my child had subs for the last three days (half the day, each day). Is this typical? I don't understand why kids in classrooms that aren't testing have to lose valuable instruction time. I'm going to tactfully inquire at our school specifically but was hoping to gain some insight from other parents and teachers who are more familiar with the testing process and why additional classroom teachers whose children aren't testing are pulled to help out...it seems that if extra admin help is needed for testing that front office employees, specials teachers and even DCPS headquarter employees should be pulled in to help before classroom teachers should, thus disrupting the learning that supposed to be going on. Annoyed and confused. Insight?

This is not only typical, this is what goes on in every DCPS school. Who do you think tests the children, why are you only just aware of this? In high school this will go on for one and a half weeks, in previous years almost two. Haven't you heard what teacher's are saying across the country about standardized test scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is no big deal. During this time many kids are given busy work not too much of instruction is going on. Surely, not any lively discussion or interactions...non-testing kids are in a holding pattern, waiting to land.

It is a very bid deal. If you don't think it is, take a surprise visit to any DCPS school during testing for DC CAS.

[Anonymous]

You need two staff members in each testing room, a test administrator and a test proctor.
Teachers cannot administer to their own students. Therefore, not only are teachers switched around, but you must find enough "extra" adults (aides, librarians, counselors, etc.) to be the proctor. You also need to staff all fo the special needs and ESL accommodations groups.
Also, if the Grade 5 teacher is administering in Grade 2, they finished testing yesterday. However, Grade 5 does not finish testing until next week, so Grade 5 teacher continues to sub for Grade 2 teacher who continues to give the Grade 5 test.
Testing affects the entire building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if the playground is in close proximity to the testing classrooms, your child won't get recess.

These two weeks of testing are horrible for nearly every child in the building.

Two weeks? I thought it was 3 days for 3rd grade. Who needs two weeks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need two staff members in each testing room, a test administrator and a test proctor.
Teachers cannot administer to their own students. Therefore, not only are teachers switched around, but you must find enough "extra" adults (aides, librarians, counselors, etc.) to be the proctor. You also need to staff all fo the special needs and ESL accommodations groups.
Also, if the Grade 5 teacher is administering in Grade 2, they finished testing yesterday. However, Grade 5 does not finish testing until next week, so Grade 5 teacher continues to sub for Grade 2 teacher who continues to give the Grade 5 test.
Testing affects the entire building.

OP, here. Thank you for this incredibly useful and informed response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just learned that my child's first grade teacher was pulled out of her classroom to help with testing over the last three days (half-day each day). When she was out of the classroom, there was a substitute. So my child had subs for the last three days (half the day, each day). Is this typical? I don't understand why kids in classrooms that aren't testing have to lose valuable instruction time. I'm going to tactfully inquire at our school specifically but was hoping to gain some insight from other parents and teachers who are more familiar with the testing process and why additional classroom teachers whose children aren't testing are pulled to help out...it seems that if extra admin help is needed for testing that front office employees, specials teachers and even DCPS headquarter employees should be pulled in to help before classroom teachers should, thus disrupting the learning that supposed to be going on. Annoyed and confused. Insight?

This is not only typical, this is what goes on in every DCPS school. Who do you think tests the children, why are you only just aware of this? In high school this will go on for one and a half weeks, in previous years almost two. Haven't you heard what teacher's are saying across the country about standardized test scores?

You, my dear, are an insufferable ass hat. Let's hope you're more kind and patient to your real friends and loves ones and only subject strangers to your condescension and impatience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if the playground is in close proximity to the testing classrooms, your child won't get recess.

These two weeks of testing are horrible for nearly every child in the building.


Two weeks? I thought it was 3 days for 3rd grade. Who needs two weeks?

2nd grade is three morning sessions
3rd through 5th have 4 morning sessions
next week fourth has composition and fifth has science and health.

Rest of the week is make ups, everyone else is back to normal scheduling.