Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Adolescent Literacy Chapter 17 Reflection

As I reflect upon my own experiences with testing as a student and then as a teacher, I go from, "what is this crap? I am not even being graded on it," to "I get it, we need to test kids, but hopefully it is still in the beginning phases and it will adapt through time to become better."

I remember thinking in high school, "I am so tired, thank goodness, this does not count for anything." Now, I realize my teachers were probably hoping I would help raise the scores for their school, and here I was...tired.

As a first year teacher I remember thinking, "These kids could care less, I have one who doesn't feel like doing anything today, and all I can say is, 'Do your best.'" This past year we had a kid diliberately take the entire test in one (20 minute) time frame. He said he didn't care how the school did and that he was tired and ready to go home. He spent the next 5 days at home for suspension, but hey that is what he wanted in the first place. Congratulation kid on a job well done; you went for something and you got it.

I just am hoping for change, and soon.

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