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~ Every Student Deserves Safe Schools & Fair Testing
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Who has access?
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What can be done?
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 What do L.A. teachers think about standardized testing?
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| Teaching to Change LA asked Los Angeles teachers a series of survey questions about how they feel about standardized tests and how they might spend the money that is currently spent on testing. Here's what some of them had to say... |
| 1) What would you like to tell state lawmakers about the SAT 9? |
Standardized testing does not check to see what students have learned/know (esp. those students from underresourced communities). Standardized testing? There is nothing standard about the students I teach. Each is different, and thinks and knows differently. Standardized testing is a fallacy.
- Anonymous, 4/27/02
Dump it and go to a system like the NY Regents where kids are tested on what they are learning.
- Nancy Weims, 4/27/02
It doesn't accurately reflect every child's learning because every child learns differently. I do, however, appreciate a source of comparison, and at present, Stanford-9 is a good "mirror."
- Anonymous, 4/30/02
Clyde Woodworth Elementary
Drop the pressure to reach unreasonable scores.
- Ernesto Silva, 4/28/02
The emphasis upon this type of high-stakes testing is not what's best for our children. Moreover, since there are reforms made to assist struggling students, the money to finance these tests could be spent much more effectively on the programs listed below.
- Dennis Hagen-Smith, 4/28/02
Toluca Lake Elementary, 5th/Multiple
Put children first, no one can live forever . . . someone, other than the elite should be participants in government and the maintenance of our democracy.
- Harris, 5/1/02
Woodworth Elementary/Centinela Elementary
Students who cannot read or speak English should NOT be tested.
- Patricia James, 5/2/02
Woodworth Elementary, 2nd grade
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2) How much time do you spend teaching your students how to take the SAT 9?
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Almost from day one. So much emphasis is placed on SAT 9 that I begin immediately with "test prep" drilling.
- Patricia James, 5/2/02
Woodworth Elementary, 2nd grade
Everyday my students complete a reading comprehension worksheet (among other things). Those students scoring above 75% have stated that I was the single most important class activity that assisted their success.
- Harris, 5/1/02
Woodworth Elementary/Centinela Elementary
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| 3) Does the SAT 9 reflect what your students have learned in class? |
Somewhat because I have learned to teach the test. Items/concepts that have been on previous tests, i.e. identify misspelled words, antonyms, end marks, etc.
- Patricia James, 5/2/02
Woodworth Elementary, 2nd grade
As our curriculum becomes more standardized and resources are made available, I would say that yes, the test content reflects my students’ exposure to my teaching. I don't think that it necessarily reflects what they know only how they can answer the questions in the way they were presented. I have also noted that our children often have the knowledge, but don't walk through problems quickly, and therefore, don't answer enough questions to appear successful.
- Anonymous, 4/30/02
Clyde Woodworth Elementary
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| 4) Right now California spends hundreds of millions of dollars on tests and test rewards and uses many days of instructional time on testing. If you had the power, how would you use the money and the time that is currently spent on testing? |
Reduce teacher classroom time to provide teachers paid time to assess and do class preparation and implement more holistic assessment/accountability measures.
- Michelle Semrad, 4/27/02
Hire janitors to clean the school, hire painters to paint the school, and pay teachers a 15% raise.
- Nancy Weims, 4/27/02
Washington Prep High School
World History/AP European History
Lower the class sizes, hire teachers and supportive staff!
- Harris, 5/1/02
Woodworth Elementary/Centinela Elementary
Money is best used on direct action with students. Head Start, after-school programs, outdoor education, tutoring, expanded art programs, hands-on science labs, Internet access and continued funding of paraprofessionals help our students grow intellectually and socially.
- Dennis Hagen-Smith, 4/28/02
Toluca Lake Elementary, 5th/Multiple
I would use the money to provide programs, teacher assistants, physical education and art teachers, etc. Computers and the like would enhance the curriculum which would help prepare students for the test.
- Anonymous
Use the money in after-school and Saturday enrichment programs--academic and sports programs.
- Ernesto Silva, 4/28/02
Fifth Grade
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