Dear Testing,
I write this as I am at work. The first time in a VERY long while that I have been mindlessly computer-browsing during work-hours. It is this kind of mindless computer-browsing on work time that made me quit my research job and head into the field of youth work. And I haven't looked back.
Because I don't check my e-mail during work-hours, anymore. I don't answer my phone. I just do my job and hang out and play and have a lot of fun with it (mostly). Except on days like today.
Because today we're doing state math you. All day. Every class period is going to be a bunch of kids quietly (hopefully) you while I just try to while away the time on a computer. And that's incredibly boring for me.
I had a plan, of course. I was going to take care of all my grades (this is the last week of the grading period, so I have hours of grading to do), but the grade server is down. And so I'm just bored and relatively unproductive. Thanks, Testing.
And so I have the opportunity to write you a letter, Testing. A letter to say how ridiculous these state tests really are. The state (and federal) school system has boiled down all the learning and work these kids have done into a one-hour, 45-question, multiple-choice test. That's it. It's all "select the right answer" of four. Which means that somebody who knew nothing at all could do well by guessing (although not likely, it's possible).
And then there's a flip side, of course. Because the beauty of multiple-choice you is the clever tricks employed to "make sure the kid REALLY knows the answer." So there are fake-out choices to try to trick the non-discerning kid into choosing them instead of the correct choice. Which means that somebody who really knows how to do the math could do terribly by not being ready for the fake-outs.
And then there's the confidence aspect of these ridiculous tests. They are designed so that getting around 50% correct is achieving "benchmark" (grade level). 50%. Meaning the kid getting an equivalent of a big fat "F" is at grade level. So what, right? That means nothing.
Except for the fact that the kids are SUPPOSED TO NOT HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO DO HALF THE PROBLEMS. So they go into this test, facing all sorts of questions they have no idea how to answer, and they're supposed to continue feeling confident and want to keep trying throughout the test. Let's just say that that's not so fair or balanced for the kids I work with.
And I don't know if there's anything else I need to say about that. Besides, I have to get back to work.
Computer-bound,
CVT
Somewhat Relevant Question of the Post:
What is your favourite Scan-tron memory?
2 comments:
favorite scan-tron memory is from junior year of high school:
towards the end of the semester, when my grade was already determined for my literature class. i decided to use my test sheet as a canvas and bubbled my way through the alphabetic selections to create a gorgeous, blooming flower! i didn't want to turn that test in it was so cool-looking!
must say, this post was a bit depressing. i'm really glad that you don't spend your entire day in front of a computer anymore, and that your students aren't required to do this kind of testing all the time! blah!
This winter, for the final in one of the classes that I TA, we accidentally lumped 6-7 questions in order all having B as their correct answer.
Students' heads were exploding.
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