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- The 2008 Readers' Survey was conducted at Edutopia.org March 26-April 30, 2008. Participants responded to questions in their own words, and their answers were tabulated to yield the top three to five vote getters in each category. The top responses for each question appear with voting buttons to encourage our visitors to participate further.
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Readers' Survey 2008: Top Concern of Teachers
Credit: iStockphoto
The issue of standardized testing is not merely a concern for our readers. The looming specter of high-stakes tests -- and the impact of the results -- badgers, distracts, frightens, and discourages teachers. All of that leads to the other primary concerns listed by our survey participants: time and student motivation.
Said one respondent, "Testing has replaced teaching as the number-one priority. Fear has become the motivator instead of trying to build up creative thinkers." Though they yearn to explore differentiated curricula, integrate technology into lessons, and conduct hands-on learning, teachers say they must instead concentrate on getting ready for tests and on finding ways to keep their students -- who are primarily focused on the not-so-exciting pursuit of good test scores -- engaged in learning. "How am I going to get all of this done?" asked one teacher. Another said, "The challenge now is teaching students to learn for the love of knowledge instead of for short-term goals, such as acing a test."
What do you think? Weigh in on the results.
Comments
Algebra 2 and Geometry
Each year I am more and more disheartened by the student's willingness to fail. Apathy and the lack of motivation I see each day is sad. My students run the gamut from at risk,economically disadvantaged to wealthy and it doesn't matter where they come from.
High School English
Select the best answer:
a. Schools have been bullied by faux accountability gimmicks into becoming test-prep centers.
b. This often means students lose time needed to focus on higher learning skills that help them grow to think critically and survive in a rapidly changing world.
c. We're dumbing down and calling it reform.
d. all of the above
Standardized Testing
Hi everyone! My name is Shoua Thao, and I am a graduate student at Walden University. This is my 5th year teaching and I currently teach 2nd grade. I would say my top concern as a teacher is the Standardized Testing. In California, students take Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR Test). With all the requirements that we as teachers have to do to keep our scores up, it really takes out the joy of teaching. I hear about it in every staff meeting and trainings I go to.
Standardized Testing
Hi everyone! My name is Shoua Thao, and I am a graduate student at Walden University. This is my 5th year teaching and I currently teach 2nd grade. I would say my top concern as a teacher is the Standardized Testing. In California, students take Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR Test). With all the requirements that we as teachers have to do to keep our scores up, it really takes out the joy of teaching.