Posted on 01/28/2009 10:21:57 AM PST by Zakeet
The Los Angeles teachers union and the city's school district are battling over a district practice that, a Times' analysis suggests, contributes to higher scores on state tests.
The practice is "periodic assessments," a bureaucratic name for exams administered by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The goal is to give teachers insight into what students need to learn while there remains time in the current school year to adjust instruction.The union Tuesday directed teachers to refuse to give them to students on the grounds that the tests are costly and counterproductive.
But there could be a downside.
The local exams, given three or four times a year at secondary schools, appear to be boosting state scores in 10th-grade English and Algebra 1 -- the two subjects examined by The Times -- and therefore perhaps other subjects as well.
The district tests, which have gradually permeated most core academic subjects and most grade levels, have become central to a debate over the proliferation of testing, whether it interrupts instruction and can narrow the depth and breadth of what's taught. The philosophical dispute sharpened this week amid protracted, stalled negotiations over a teachers contract and the need to slash millions to address an ongoing budget crisis.
Axing these district assessments would spare jobs by saving millions of dollars -- and would improve instruction at the same time, said A.J. Duffy, president of United Teachers Los Angeles.
The union's call for a boycott of the tests has emerged as an early trial for new Supt. Ramon C. Cortines, who took over Jan. 1.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
It is costly and counterproductive to give tests in order to find out where my students may need extra assistance.
More like tests show where student is failing, and that is a result of not being taught. No teacher/school accountability. I pulled my children from public schools and home schooled after their teacher told me “it’s not my job to motivate children in my class to want to learn”.
These tests show where teachers are failing.
I’ve got a better idea. Dump the tests AND the teachers. Void out the union and get qualified people in there with a true passion to teach rather than people who want summers off. Oh and while they’re at it, they can get rid of ESL.
The CTA runs the State of California.
“periodic assessments” is a “bureaucratic name”?
Sounds pretty straight forward to me.
But I’d bet the author is all in favor of “post-pregnancy family planning”...
As for the dingbat with the sign, the purpose of the test is not to “teach our kids.”
It’s to make sure that’s what she is doing.
She’s obviously not a big fan of accountability.
Quick note: Shouldn’t a teacher in California at least be able to spell California?!
"Can't teach your kids and don't want you to know".
Or "Big Graduation Surprise - your child can't read"
I'm sooooo glad "teachers" are dems...
"Can't teach your kids and don't want you to know".
Or "Big Graduation Surprise - your child can't read"
I'm sooooo glad "teachers" are dems...
The only problem I see is that if the test is garbage, the students will not be taught the right things.
OTOH, from what I have seen, the average teacher wants no accountability and is going to be against any objective measure of their effectiveness.
Keep the tests until the Union can demonstrate that they are testing the wrong things.
What good would it do to give kids a test if they can’t read? Give them a reading test, if they pass, give them the rest of the test. Try this......give them a test that was given in the 50’s.........I’d bet less than 10% could pass it.
Okay, my daughter gets A’s in High School French. I asked her, A Qu’elle hur est’il, and she couldn’t answer. The teacher lets them use Babelfish!
If they don't pass, fire the teacher and hire one that is qualified.
Oh my God!
Instantly fire any teacher who refuses.
L
It's too bad that even with all those teachers around, nobody recognized that the sign on the left should read: "Whom do you want teaching our kids."
Test have 2 purposes. One is to see how well the kids are doing, and the other is to see how well the teacher is teaching. Seems to me the Commie unions hates to have standard so they seek to eliminate it.
Choose One:
Okay...Tests
Hundreds of other teachers waiting in line to take your positions.
Great minds think alike.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.