It is that time of year again. State testing. I usually don't stress about it because at this point, what can you do? Encouragement is my best advice . . . as is peppermint candy, so I have heard. (Something to do with memory. . . I think. I don't really remember!) Guess I need to chomp on some peppermint to boost my concentration! [Digging in the desk junk drawer. Ah-ha! Red and white swirl. Twisting the clear cellophane wrapper open. Crinkle and crunch.] Oh! Now I remember what I was chatting about before the "interrupting peppermint". . .
I'm starting to feel anxious about "THE TEST," as Miss Malarkey would say.
Last year was the first year our school (just barely) did not meet AYP (adequate yearly progress). We have a high percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged and also the majority of our population is ELL. We have a new administrator this year learning how and why we do the things we currently do and making the conscious decision not to drastically change anything. But in the back of my mind I'm wondering: Will we make it this year? How can we? What have we changed? What have we improved? What impact will the process of RtI have on our students? What happens if we don't meet AYP a second year? So many questions are looming.
However, here is what I truly believe in: Great instruction. All. Year. Long. I don't teach to the test. I consider it another genre. We learn to approach tests differently, just as we approach fiction and nonfiction differently. I know in my heart we are doing our best, trying new strategies, and meeting the needs of all learners.
Regardless, the kids always work so hard and do their very best. We'll have students who exceed and find the assessment a breeze; we'll have kids who are encouraged to go back and check their answers because twenty minutes to finish reading the passage, answering the questions, and writing the extended response just seems to quick; we'll have others who struggle through it and analyze every question and answer; and we'll even have students who tell us it was a piece of cake, knowing full well that they couldn't read or comprehend the text.
What matters most is that they try and put forth the effort and achievement that we strive for EVERY day. Not just on a state testing day.
That's what matters.
(By the way, new research states that students who write about their anxieties before a test could help students perform better. We'll try that this year, but it may still be worth sharing the peppermint too. Any advantage will help! Or, what about this? An entrepreneur has seized the moment: peppermint smart smencils. What next?!? Peppermint erasers? Peppermint paper? Peppermint tests!?!)
I'm starting to feel anxious about "THE TEST," as Miss Malarkey would say.
Last year was the first year our school (just barely) did not meet AYP (adequate yearly progress). We have a high percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged and also the majority of our population is ELL. We have a new administrator this year learning how and why we do the things we currently do and making the conscious decision not to drastically change anything. But in the back of my mind I'm wondering: Will we make it this year? How can we? What have we changed? What have we improved? What impact will the process of RtI have on our students? What happens if we don't meet AYP a second year? So many questions are looming.
However, here is what I truly believe in: Great instruction. All. Year. Long. I don't teach to the test. I consider it another genre. We learn to approach tests differently, just as we approach fiction and nonfiction differently. I know in my heart we are doing our best, trying new strategies, and meeting the needs of all learners.
Regardless, the kids always work so hard and do their very best. We'll have students who exceed and find the assessment a breeze; we'll have kids who are encouraged to go back and check their answers because twenty minutes to finish reading the passage, answering the questions, and writing the extended response just seems to quick; we'll have others who struggle through it and analyze every question and answer; and we'll even have students who tell us it was a piece of cake, knowing full well that they couldn't read or comprehend the text.
What matters most is that they try and put forth the effort and achievement that we strive for EVERY day. Not just on a state testing day.
That's what matters.
(By the way, new research states that students who write about their anxieties before a test could help students perform better. We'll try that this year, but it may still be worth sharing the peppermint too. Any advantage will help! Or, what about this? An entrepreneur has seized the moment: peppermint smart smencils. What next?!? Peppermint erasers? Peppermint paper? Peppermint tests!?!)
In Michigan, we conduct the state testing for elemtary and middle school students in October. At first, teachers complained because they didn't feel they had time to prep the kids. But I agree with your statement. Good instruction all year long is the best prep we can provide students. Now, I like the testing in the fall. We get it over with early then we can spend the rest of the year focusing on the kids. The state is changing the cut scores next year and we are anticipating that many schools in our district will not make AYP.
ReplyDeleteI am with YOU, Michelle,
ReplyDeleteHowever, here is what I truly believe in: Great instruction. All. Year. Long. I don't teach to the test. I consider it another genre. We learn to approach tests differently, just as we approach fiction and nonfiction differently. I know in my heart we are doing our best, trying new strategies, and meeting the needs of all learners.
Michelle, I'm totally going to the store to buy a pound of peppermints...my teacher friends and I are definitely going to need it in about 10 days!! haha...
ReplyDeletegood luck on your tests....
You are so right, good instruction is the key. Why does this seem to surprise some? Your kids will make you proud. Have faith in yourself and them.
ReplyDeleteditto blkdrama. We're in our first year of AYP jail too, wondering what this year will bring.
ReplyDeleteI actually picked up Testing Miss Malarkey today to read to MYSELF, the TEACHER. I can't help but get stressed about the TEST!
ReplyDeleteI love your mantra...Great instruction. All. Year. Long. I think I'll hang a sign in our school's workroom for motivational purposes!