Teachers Are
Professional Educators of Tennessee has repeatedly called for a testing and accountability
system to be developed with educator input that maximizes student learning and helps educators
meet the individual needs of students. I was very pleased someone was speaking out statewide
about the use and abuse of high-stakes tests as the sole measure of student achievement.
The hyper focus on testing has steered our accountability and assessment system to become
a distortion of its original intent. Many people believe the enormous pressure put on teachers
and students to perform well on the tests forces many schools to “teach to the test,” a practice
of teaching students how to take tests rather than truly learning the subject matter. Excessive
paperwork and practice testing eat up even more valuable classroom time and further erode the
learning experience. Various changes in testing structure and standards have required a huge
investment at the state and local level to the benefit of companies who develop the tests. And
this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Numbers are indicators, yet they are not everything and a test score will never reflect the
dedication of a teacher or the potential of a child. With so much emphasis on testing, it is
important to remember those things that really matter.
To a child, our teachers are heroes. They make a difference in the life of a child each and
every day. Teachers inspire children to dream, explore, create and reach for the stars. They are
amazing.
A recent survey revealed the following heart-breaking reality:
• 72% of teachers surveyed reported feeling “moderate” or “extreme” pressure from both
school and district administrators regarding testing
• 42% of teachers surveyed reported the emphasis on improving standardized test scores
had a “negative impact” on their classroom and only 15% said the impact was “positive”
• 52% of teachers surveyed said they spend too much time on testing and test prep
• 45% of teachers have considered quitting because of standardized testing
• And despite it all, 75% of teachers are satisfied with their jobs
The pendulum has swung too far. It is time to start dialing back test to reasonable, sustainable
level. Teachers have persevered through so many changes in education in recent years. As
adults looking back, we may not remember the names of all our bosses or co-workers, but ask
anyone and they will tell you the name of at least one teacher that inspired them and made a
difference in their life. Teachers, you make a difference.