Comments on: TAKS Day http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:25:21 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Joel http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1748 Joel Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:13:08 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1748 maggiemoo: I understand that the English teachers work hard. I didn't mean to imply that I thought otherwise! In fact, quite the opposite. Maybe it's because I am so competitive. I would hate the idea of my band going to contest with even another band director, no matter how experienced he or she is. I work my butt off getting them prepared and then not only do I not get to work with them, but they are thrown into a weird classroom with lab tables instead of desks, with a teacher they know, but who does not regularly give them tests. If I were a language arts teacher, I would want to be in there working with my own kids. I understand that you aren't allowed to give hints or help or anything, but I suppose that is the micromanager in me. I personally have no problem administering the test. I have no problem pitching in to help the students succeed. The point was really to say that sometimes we plan things looking more at the numbers than at reality of what is best for the children. Somehow, that message wasn't conveyed well. My apologies. maggiemoo: I understand that the English teachers work hard. I didn’t mean to imply that I thought otherwise!

In fact, quite the opposite. Maybe it’s because I am so competitive. I would hate the idea of my band going to contest with even another band director, no matter how experienced he or she is. I work my butt off getting them prepared and then not only do I not get to work with them, but they are thrown into a weird classroom with lab tables instead of desks, with a teacher they know, but who does not regularly give them tests. If I were a language arts teacher, I would want to be in there working with my own kids.

I understand that you aren’t allowed to give hints or help or anything, but I suppose that is the micromanager in me.

I personally have no problem administering the test. I have no problem pitching in to help the students succeed. The point was really to say that sometimes we plan things looking more at the numbers than at reality of what is best for the children.

Somehow, that message wasn’t conveyed well. My apologies.

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]]> By: Waski_the_Squirrel http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1747 Waski_the_Squirrel Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:38:13 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1747 Unfortunately, Texas recently had a rash of cheating on these tests. I suspect you were put in there because of that. You are outside the subject, so you have no vested interest in the outcome. I've had to monitor state tests before. In most schools, though, it either rotates through periods or is done by the guidance counselor. Of course, I've always taught in very small schools, so this is a lot easier. At one school, though, it was just as you describe. I lost a full week of instruction thanks to testing and got in some trouble when I complained about it. Unfortunately, Texas recently had a rash of cheating on these tests. I suspect you were put in there because of that. You are outside the subject, so you have no vested interest in the outcome.

I’ve had to monitor state tests before. In most schools, though, it either rotates through periods or is done by the guidance counselor. Of course, I’ve always taught in very small schools, so this is a lot easier.

At one school, though, it was just as you describe. I lost a full week of instruction thanks to testing and got in some trouble when I complained about it.

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]]> By: maggiemoo http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1746 maggiemoo Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:13:41 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1746 Those English teachers worked hard all year to prepare those kids and they deserve a break. I can't believe that you had the nerve to complain. Preparing students for the TAKS test is not a fun challenge. It is tragedy that we drag every student down so no child is left behind. I am very offended by your post. Those English teachers worked hard all year to prepare those kids and they deserve a break. I can’t believe that you had the nerve to complain. Preparing students for the TAKS test is not a fun challenge. It is tragedy that we drag every student down so no child is left behind. I am very offended by your post.

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]]> By: Pat http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1745 Pat Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:49:49 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1745 I used to get a lot of paperwork during those endless test days. I think they don't put the teacher in the same room so they can be sure of the "integrity" of the test giver. Our school district would not let the teachers give the test and made them monitor too. I used to get a lot of paperwork during those endless test days. I think they don’t put the teacher in the same room so they can be sure of the “integrity” of the test giver. Our school district would not let the teachers give the test and made them monitor too.

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]]> By: Miss Profe http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1741 Miss Profe Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:05:45 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/taks-day/#comment-1741 I agree with you, Joel; it doesn't make much sense to me either w/r/t your being with students you don't teach. Another illogical move on the part of the Educational Industrial Complex. I agree with you, Joel; it doesn’t make much sense to me either w/r/t your being with students you don’t teach. Another illogical move on the part of the Educational Industrial Complex.

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