Comments on: Tests Just One Part of the Problem http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/ J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:43:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: In a Classroom Far, Far Away… | My Comments (I Think) http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-15 In a Classroom Far, Far Away… | My Comments (I Think) Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:43:42 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-15 [...] http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-14 [...] [...] http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-14 [...]

]]> By: Sheryl Smith http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Sheryl Smith Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:04:39 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-14 I completely agree with your ideas here. Teaching to the test is such a shame because it wastes the potential of possibly talented teachers, as well as students. It completely drains all the fun and creativity out of learning, especially when it comes to writing. Because of the boredom associated with teaching to meet qualifications of standardized tests, a student that might actually enjoy writing could miss the chance to fully realize that joy. The effect teaching to the test has on underprivileged kids is also very sad, not only because many of them will end up failing due to events at home. Writing can be such a good outlet for these kids, and because they are only taught skills to pass a test, they may not ever realize this outlet. It’s so true that no child left behind actually leaves many behind. I completely agree with your ideas here. Teaching to the test is such a shame because it wastes the potential of possibly talented teachers, as well as students. It completely drains all the fun and creativity out of learning, especially when it comes to writing. Because of the boredom associated with teaching to meet qualifications of standardized tests, a student that might actually enjoy writing could miss the chance to fully realize that joy.

The effect teaching to the test has on underprivileged kids is also very sad, not only because many of them will end up failing due to events at home. Writing can be such a good outlet for these kids, and because they are only taught skills to pass a test, they may not ever realize this outlet. It’s so true that no child left behind actually leaves many behind.

]]> By: Our Finest Hour Arrives » All Of My Unique And Interesting Comments… http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Our Finest Hour Arrives » All Of My Unique And Interesting Comments… Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:44:57 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-7 [...] Kayda  [...] [...] Kayda  [...]

]]> By: Mike http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Mike Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:27:04 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-6 Let me begin by saying that I am sorry I have not read any of your blogs in the past. I came here randomly to read one and comment, but then got hooked into reading all of them. As a whole, well done! This one in particular really struck a nerve for me, simply because I feel the exact same way. I hate that preparing for a standardized test will eat up a good portion of my curriculum as a future teacher. With that, I'm just not sure how some of these legislators even rationalize the idea of NCLB in its current state. It discriminates against those in urban areas while placing students from suburban areas on a pedestal. The fact of the matter is that it seems many of these legislators forget who they are writing these laws for - people. It would seem that they completely cut the human element out of the equation when writing things such as NCLB. You hit it right on the head when you said that they were only worrying about surface level problems as opposed to the deeper-rooted issues. NCLB is like taking Pepto-Bismol for stomach cancer - useless. Good job on your blog! Let me begin by saying that I am sorry I have not read any of your blogs in the past. I came here randomly to read one and comment, but then got hooked into reading all of them. As a whole, well done! This one in particular really struck a nerve for me, simply because I feel the exact same way. I hate that preparing for a standardized test will eat up a good portion of my curriculum as a future teacher. With that, I’m just not sure how some of these legislators even rationalize the idea of NCLB in its current state. It discriminates against those in urban areas while placing students from suburban areas on a pedestal. The fact of the matter is that it seems many of these legislators forget who they are writing these laws for – people. It would seem that they completely cut the human element out of the equation when writing things such as NCLB. You hit it right on the head when you said that they were only worrying about surface level problems as opposed to the deeper-rooted issues. NCLB is like taking Pepto-Bismol for stomach cancer – useless. Good job on your blog!

]]> By: My Thoughts on the Blogs of Others! at As You Like It http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-5 My Thoughts on the Blogs of Others! at As You Like It Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:13:10 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-5 [...] Tests Just One Part of The Problem  By: Kayda [...] [...] Tests Just One Part of The Problem  By: Kayda [...]

]]> By: Shakura http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Shakura Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:29:10 +0000 http://kayda.edublogs.org/2007/10/23/tests-just-one-part-of-the-problem/#comment-3 I love the name Kayda! Its so cool! Anyway, I agree with you here and I also thought of another problem with NCLB. In some states like Michigan for example, students do not have to perform well because there is no accountability for students. I feel that many students just don't care about taking these test and so they don't perform as best they could. Telling a student "The school gets more money if you take the test and do well on it". Ha, how many people do you know really care about that. On the other hand, in the state of Illinois, if you fail those test in 3rd, 6th or 8th grade, you must repeat the grade. I feel that this is a little cruel but it does give students a reason to take those tests seriously and to do their best on it. Most kids need evidence, they need to know that their performance on these tests matter. Extra money for the school is sometimes harder to see, since their are so many non-tangible components that costs in schools. I feel that NCLB must be revamped if they want to make it work. I love the name Kayda! Its so cool! Anyway, I agree with you here and I also thought of another problem with NCLB. In some states like Michigan for example, students do not have to perform well because there is no accountability for students. I feel that many students just don’t care about taking these test and so they don’t perform as best they could. Telling a student “The school gets more money if you take the test and do well on it”. Ha, how many people do you know really care about that. On the other hand, in the state of Illinois, if you fail those test in 3rd, 6th or 8th grade, you must repeat the grade. I feel that this is a little cruel but it does give students a reason to take those tests seriously and to do their best on it. Most kids need evidence, they need to know that their performance on these tests matter. Extra money for the school is sometimes harder to see, since their are so many non-tangible components that costs in schools. I feel that NCLB must be revamped if they want to make it work.

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