Thursday, June 5, 2014

E is for End of Grade Tests


Or just exams in general. Is there anything else more universally hated? I’ve met few students in my lifetime, neither when I was a kid, nor when I was in college and certainly now that I teach who haven’t hated exams.  Students may think they hate exams, but really, their hatred of them can’t compare to most teachers. I despise them. The administrators try their level best to stress teachers to the max over these basically meaningless tests. They try to make us pass this overwhelming stress to our students – but I flatly refuse to do that.

I’ve taught these kids all year. I know from the small test I give, and mostly, from the discussions in class, that they have grown and learned. Isn’t this much more meaningful that one super stress filled test? Give these final exams if you like, but don’t make it the end all be all of education. Just see it as one small assessment of what they've learned.

We begin exams next week. Hold a good thought for students everywhere and if you have kids taking them, tell them to relax, they’ll do fine. And then whisper all the answers into their pencils – I’ll give you a hint, the answer is A, B, C or D. All they have to do is put them in order.

20 comments:

  1. Great E word PK. Exams do suck, and I agree with you about thrm being thr bee all and end all.

    commiserating with all those about to take exams and sending best wishes.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Thanks Roz, the school really tries to make everyone crazy - and they do a great job.

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  2. PK,
    I hated exams as a child, and I did very badly.
    Still I did quite well in life, and that's what counts.
    Love and warm hugs,
    Paul.

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    1. Paul, I see some kids that are so smart and that I know will do well in life, but they are not test takers. I try to let them know that I see their intelligence regardless of test results.

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  3. I don't think there's a child or adult alive that likes exams. It does not begin to test the intelligence factor or prepare them for what they will be facing in life. You know that saying, give the man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime. I feel that way about thinking - teach them how to think and they'll know how to find the answer - the hell with tests.

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    1. Leigh, good point. Give them questions and then hand them the phone and a computer. They do get to 'phone a friend' in real life.

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  4. I agree with SG, never heard of anyone liking exams. Also I think our children have far too many.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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  5. Hey PK...I hate exams with a passion! I have the worst test anxiety. Put me in any situation where I feel a correct answer is required, and I freeze. I will spend the first half of a test period not able to answer a single question...what's your name...uh????

    Hugs and Blessings...
    Cat

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    1. Poor Cat, that must have been rough at school. I never minded taking the achievement tests when I was a kid, I sure don't remember pressure like is applied now.

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  6. I agree. Too much pressure on everyone for not good reason (IMO). Good luck...just think, summer is almost here.

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    1. It's my opinion too and I'm right in the middle of it. It's really gotten out of hand.

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  7. Is C still one of the most common answers? the one you are supposed to choose if you don't know the answer?
    Good luck!!!
    BTW, thank you for being a teacher!
    You rock!
    Teachers do not get paid enough for everything they do.

    <3

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    1. I appreciate that Katherine, teaching I love. The 'education system' sucks and I can't bear it.

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  8. How come when all educators, and it seems, most others realise that there are more ways to show a student's progress over the year, how come the authorities are still so insistent on exams?......
    .... Oh yes I remember! The exams are not about testing the kids they are about collecting data with which to measure teachers and schools and a
    (Here at least) a way with which to define pay progression.
    A teacher (or school) which is outstanding one year can suddenly become unsatisfactory the following year because the results drop (don't bother to take into consideration that the class has children whose parents died or who have severely disabled siblings or parents going through treatment, we are told to stop making excuses!
    Sorry, rant over - I hate exams!

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    1. You are welcomed to rant to me anytime because everything you said is completely true. I have been teaching 26 years. I have not had so much as one cent in the way of a raise in 6 years. Yet they are on my to do more and more and more.

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  9. Terrible the way this country treats it's teachers! They couldn't pay me enough to do your job PK. Bless you for taking it on and making a difference.

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    1. I didn't go into teaching to get rich, but I did expect to make a decent living while I taught the children. It's not worked out that way lately.

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  10. It's all a crock of *#a!..... Tests only measure a specific type of intelligence. Education is supposed to foster a love of learning and teach creative thinking!
    If tests are the b all end all then why have schools? Let's just teach to the test....
    Ugh!! I hate the way things are going!

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    1. You know how bad it is. I'm interested in seeing if my state is going to dump common core. It has it's good points, but as usual the 'system' ruined it.

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