tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17020107.post6865731537496664485..comments2023-07-10T06:14:33.273-04:00Comments on Teaching Montessori: Teachers to Be Measured Based on Students’ Standardized Test ScoresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17020107.post-74804756449324707892009-03-23T05:13:00.000-04:002009-03-23T05:13:00.000-04:00As ever, the question is not what does the teacher...As ever, the question is not what does the teacher teach, but what does the student learn. <BR/><BR/>Given the multiple problems in standardized test design - see today's oped in the New York Times on why reading samples should echo course content, this sort of financial reward remains very problematic. It also encourages institutional cheating by providing a clear reason for many students, teachers, and administrators to collaborate in fraud. <BR/>Let's at least require the use of active skills like writing on all standardized English and Social Science exams - and avoid simple, dangerous ideas like test scores reflect teacher input alone.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06765320883510788501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17020107.post-66617002690310914112008-10-09T13:18:00.000-04:002008-10-09T13:18:00.000-04:00I guess the only way we'll know if the money's wel...I guess the only way we'll know if the money's well-spent is the end product. At the end of 12-13 years of public education, what skills, abilities, knowledge does that 17-18 year old son or daughter of yours have to offer you? Can he/she advocate for themselves? Can he/she think critically? Think outside the box? Use technology in an effective, ethical manner? Will he/she have a set of core values to guide them? <BR/><BR/>Will students get this from scantrons, #2 pencils, and test prep? <BR/><BR/>My question is...Who's getting this money, and why? And, if "it doesn't mean anything," why is it being spent in the first place? School budgets are being drained, kids don't have books, but there's money for this "fact-finding, blue ribbon" study (a little revenge of the nerds quote)?Mr Teslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05111646706142380665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17020107.post-5956910999715361572008-10-07T15:05:00.000-04:002008-10-07T15:05:00.000-04:00Michael,I love the college example. However there...Michael,<BR/><BR/>I love the college example. However there is big money measuring and sorting students and I guess teachers. <BR/><BR/>With these standardized exams, and numerical values placed on teachers how can we ensure the taxpayers that their money is being well spent?<BR/><BR/>(just a thought!)W Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201586607127043249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17020107.post-58758970592079237152008-10-05T22:58:00.000-04:002008-10-05T22:58:00.000-04:00Of course, they're not going to be used "formally....Of course, they're not going to be used "formally." However, we all know that much of what goes on in schools is entirely informal. The pressure put on struggling teachers, teachers with tough classes, and the lauding of the teachers who have the "good" kids, the "SP" classes. <BR/><BR/>Moreover, what if you have kids who are already performing on a high level, and just maintain that level, or maybe dip slightly? That shows up as "not making improvement." Following that logic, if I go to college and get an A in Math 101, and then get an A- in Math 102, have I failed to make progress? Should my college get a "bad grade?" Was it an achievement for my prof in Semester 1, and a shortcoming in Semester 2? <BR/><BR/>There are way too many conflicting variables for any of these measurements to be valid. It just seems to me that all of these measuring sticks seem to be things that would/could be borrowed from the typical affluent suburban school district, where just about every kid is on the same level playing field. Go to Great Neck, Syosset, Plainview, and you will not find the variance of students that you will find in even high-achieving NYC schools. <BR/><BR/>"Standardized," to me basically means bringing "Coal to New Castle;" enfranchising those already enfranchised, and disenfranchising the disenfranchised. You can't force everyone through the same system.Mr Teslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05111646706142380665noreply@blogger.com