Random Thoughts About Testing

Just another word for hell.

Testing really just tests my patience.
And my students' patience.
And my son's patience.

Tests are supposed to test students' knowledge.
They really seem to just test how well students test.

An entire week of potential learning was taken up by testing.

Tests that I don't even get to see after the students have completed them.
Tests that I can't use to accurately assess my students.
Tests that I can't use to reteach my students skills they may have missed.

It is asinine to expect teachers to know how to best help their students when they are not given the data to do so.
All because the tests need to be kept "secret" or the test integrity will be compromised.
What is more important? The learning or the testing?

Since I have begun teaching, passion and inspiration have fallen to intimidation and trepidation.

For my students' sake and my own kids' sake, I hope education once again learns that it is as important to take care of a students' heart as well as his/her mind....