In a November 7, 2007 article for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle entitled "Teachers need role in fixing No Child Left Behind", guest essayist Richard Ognibene poses two thought-provoking questions. Take a few minutes and reflect on the following questions. Then, read the article to find out the "answers".
#1- Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones both teach fifth grade. In May, only 40 percent of Mrs. Smith's students passed the state's standardized reading test, while 97 percent of Mr. Jones' students passed the same test. Who is the better teacher? A) Mrs. Smith B) Mr. Jones C) Need more information.
#2: Mrs. Smith works in a high-needs district. In September, most of her pupils read at a second-grade level, but through brilliant pedagogical strategies and dogged determination, she brought all of her class to a fourth-grade reading level or higher. Some of her students managed to pass the state reading test; all of them showed tremendous growth. Mr. Jones works in a more affluent district. In September, all of his students read at a fifth-grade level and by May most of them read at the sixth-grade level. Who is the better teacher?
I agree with Ognibene's view regarding how standardized tests are being currently used. Like me, perhaps you were taught in your methods of teaching courses to use a variety of data in order to determine academic success, whether it be student-, teacher-, or school-related. It seems that the same "rule" would and should apply for NCLB!
I found an article that may be of some interest!
In a November 7, 2007 article for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle entitled "Teachers need role in fixing No Child Left Behind", guest essayist Richard Ognibene poses two thought-provoking questions. Take a few minutes and reflect on the following questions. Then, read the article to find out the "answers".
#1- Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones both teach fifth grade. In May, only 40 percent of Mrs. Smith's students passed the state's standardized reading test, while 97 percent of Mr. Jones' students passed the same test. Who is the better teacher? A) Mrs. Smith B) Mr. Jones C) Need more information.
#2: Mrs. Smith works in a high-needs district. In September, most of her pupils read at a second-grade level, but through brilliant pedagogical strategies and dogged determination, she brought all of her class to a fourth-grade reading level or higher. Some of her students managed to pass the state reading test; all of them showed tremendous growth. Mr. Jones works in a more affluent district. In September, all of his students read at a fifth-grade level and by May most of them read at the sixth-grade level. Who is the better teacher?
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/OPINION02/711070335/1039/OPINION
I agree with Ognibene's view regarding how standardized tests are being currently used. Like me, perhaps you were taught in your methods of teaching courses to use a variety of data in order to determine academic success, whether it be student-, teacher-, or school-related. It seems that the same "rule" would and should apply for NCLB!
What are your thoughts?
Paula