Lindsay is concerned about standardized testing and the curriculum

Standardized testing has become ubiquitous over the past few years in many districts. Students, sometimes as early as kindergarten and first grade, are required to take high-stakes standardized tests in order to assess their academic performance. As a result of so much testing, teachers often have to “teach to the test” to ensure their students are meeting certain benchmarks. I believe that this focus on standardized testing often results in many other academic areas, such as the arts, science, and social studies, being close to being eliminated from the curriculum. I am distressed to see such an emphasis being placed on standardized test scores. I think it not only severely limits the curriculum, but this approach to assessment is also unfair to the many students who perform poorly on standardized tests but who perform well in the classroom.

Do you think standardized testing should play such a significant role in assessing students? Why or why not? Do you think the emphasis on standardized testing has gone too far? How do you think the emphasis on standardized testing has affected the curriculum? Do you think standardized testing is a fair and accurate indicator of how a student performs in a classroom setting? As a future teacher, do you have concerns about having to “teach to the test” to ensure your students meet a certain benchmark?

Jennifer has a concern about parent-teacher conferences

          It is that time of year again when parent teacher conferences are taking place! I recently had the opportunity to observe a parent-teacher conference and was left generally unsatisfied with this experience! The entire conference between the parent and teacher took a total of 10 minutes, the parent only had one opportunity to ask questions and the teacher appeared to be rushed! 

          I understand that there is not enough time in a day for a teacher to sit with a parent for a long period of time and touch upon every detail of the student’s education. My question for you is this then, do you think that 10 minutes is enough time for both parent and teacher to discuss everything about a student?  Do you think that the time given for parent-teacher conference should be lengthened? 

         When I observed this meeting, the teacher touched upon the student’s progress in writing and math.   Do you think that each subject should be discussed during this meeting? Finally, are there any other alternatives teachers can utilize in order to stay in touch with parents?  As a future teacher what method of conferences do you prefer and how does this method benefit parent, teacher and student?