Reply to "Teacher of the Year" quits over Common Core tests

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Reply to ""Teacher of the Year" quits over Common Core tests"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]]The proof is in the standards themselves,[/b] t[/b]here is no language in the standard prohibiting anything additional from being done. If it's a "known fact" then you should be able to provide evidence of this by citing the specific part of the standard that supports your position.[/quote]

The issue is really the high stakes nature of the tests and how that influences the behavior of administrators.  If you take out the punitive sanctions and the high level of publicity surrounding the tests, you can change the behavior so that teachers are actually encouraged to teach below the standards if necessary (and if it's necessary, it's what you really have to do or kids will be left even further behind).  Teachers want to teach individual students.  They don't want to be hamstrung by a system that rewards the "whatever it takes to pass tests" type of behaviors.  This has been a real effect of the NCLB law and you don't just wipe that out by introducing CC standards (it's still there and new standards are just making it all worse).  People are angry because they were hopeful that someone, somewhere would understand what is happening. Also, give money for hiring teachers to remediate.  When you do that, you send a powerful signal that starting where kids are is important.  It would be so much better if schools were judged on way more than just test scores.  But we have all these lists of schools that are put in order using testing scores.  It puts pressure on the administrators and teachers no matter what is in the standards.

The reason people like their local schools is because they understand their local schools.  They now don't understand why their local schools can't act in ways that make sense for their local students.  It is making people feel worse about their kids' education.   The answer is to hire good teachers and empower local communities to get involved in the schools.

One idea is to hire retired people to go out to tutor kids.    This would give retirees some needed money and also help communities be more connected.  Or hire recent college graduates who are having a hard time finding jobs (there are plenty of them out there).  Get people involved at the ground level.  Get off the "data train" and on the "people train".  People are MUCH more interesting and valuable. [/quote]

You didn't address what you claimed was a "known fact" of supposed rigidity and inflexibility by citing some specific language that prohibits it.[/quote]

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