Submitted by Christina Feeser (not verified) on March 30, 2007 - 14:05.
The problem with these tests are that teachers are no longer allowed to teach in the classroom the way that they would like to be. We are forced by administration and to a great degree even the states to teach to the test. The children are not being given the opportunity to get the basics and then have the chance to drill to mastery. After the basics are learned bigger concepts can be introduced and mastered easily. Hands on projects are wonderful to aid in this process, but the initial drill, drill, drill must also be incorporated in the beginning and sadly it is not. I was told straight out by an elementary teacher that there is no place in education for memorization and that was the official stance of the newest programs being endorsed by the state. My question is how do we say we have learned something if we cannot remember what it was that we learned? Everyone wants to blame NCLB for this, but the problem existed long before that and will continue to exist until politicians, bureaucrats, and adminstrators are willing to listen to the people who actually know what is going on in the classrooms...the teachers. And not to get on a soapbox, but where are the parents in the equation? Most usually they are running from any and all responsibility as they point accusingly at the teachers. A little discipline at home and homework getting done would aid teachers tremendously.
The problem with these tests
Submitted by Christina Feeser (not verified) on March 30, 2007 - 14:05.
The problem with these tests are that teachers are no longer allowed to teach in the classroom the way that they would like to be. We are forced by administration and to a great degree even the states to teach to the test. The children are not being given the opportunity to get the basics and then have the chance to drill to mastery. After the basics are learned bigger concepts can be introduced and mastered easily. Hands on projects are wonderful to aid in this process, but the initial drill, drill, drill must also be incorporated in the beginning and sadly it is not. I was told straight out by an elementary teacher that there is no place in education for memorization and that was the official stance of the newest programs being endorsed by the state. My question is how do we say we have learned something if we cannot remember what it was that we learned? Everyone wants to blame NCLB for this, but the problem existed long before that and will continue to exist until politicians, bureaucrats, and adminstrators are willing to listen to the people who actually know what is going on in the classrooms...the teachers. And not to get on a soapbox, but where are the parents in the equation? Most usually they are running from any and all responsibility as they point accusingly at the teachers. A little discipline at home and homework getting done would aid teachers tremendously.