Friday, March 28, 2008

Venting the Anger: Spring Break & CSTs

After reading yesterday's post on the CSTs, I started to get upset about the timing of them. Now I understand that we have to give them on a certain day based upon X% of the school year being completed, but why do we give them right after Spring Break? Seriously, we come back on Monday and Tuesday we start testing. Why? Do we really think that the students are going to study during their break? We work so hard to get these students ready for the tests then all of that momentum is ruined by having a week off.

But once again...that doesn't matter, they need to be proficient.

2 comments:

Kelvin Oliver said...

Students should be beyond proficient. They should meet the expectations that are given. I think giving them a test before spring break will allow them not do worry about studying during their time off from school. It really does not make any sense.

I do not like when teachers plan a test after any break because most likely the students or I will not study. Allowing the students to be proficient is allowing them to not be successful or meeting the passing grade.

Mr. W said...

You would think that a test where a proficient is a 58%, that everyone would be proficient, but nope not the case...which is why we are trying this to motivate them.

But still not every kid can be proficient no matter how hard they try. It's like telling a coach that he needs to have his entire team running 4.2 40's...not gonna happen. Somethings are just impossible for some. This NCLB tries to hit everyone and that is not possible.