A Classroom Activist Deals with High-Stakes Testing
Teacher Stories
Submitted by Serena on November 23, 2011
Teaching in Philadelphia these days at a time of high-stakes testing requires educators to think beyond our administrative leaders’ expectations of an effective teacher. The Administrative District Teams that walk through our school buildings and classrooms are understandably anxious that students perform well on the standardized state test, but they do not ask the tough questions about how we are truly meeting the needs of our students, and whether or not authentic and deep learning is taking place.
I do not mind spending some time preparing students for the PSSA, nor do I mind looking at Predictive Test data or giving effective feedback on constructed responses, but that is only one way for me to help my students