The Deformer Formula for "De-Motivating" Kids
Some "reformers" seem to think that students who fail will seize the day. They will harness their inner grit, work harder than ever and power their way to success. Some may. Most will not. Many will wonder what is the purpose of trying. Many will grow resentful. Some will shut down their young minds. These tests and the people who make them do a disservice to humanity.
I learned my first year on the job that a classroom test which fails nearly everybody represents a failure on the part of the teacher who created the test. Teachers must deal in realities, meet students where they are and try to raise them up. It is no good to aim far over students' heads to try to smugly prove one's own "smarts." When NY State sets cut scores to fail 70% of its 2013 Common-Core test takers, the State turned a blind eye to reality and, itself, failed.
Some reformers seem to think that everything meaningful must be measured under NYC Educator: The Deformer Formula for "De-Motivating" Kids: