Our Manifesto: A Standardized Testing Perspective
Written by: Carrie Wisehart
As we are fast approaching the Standardized Testing season, stress abounds like the varieties of chicken (strips, nuggets, fingers, fries) in our school cafeteria. Parents, staff, and students all feel the weight of these “tests” and struggle to balance the necessity, the need for accountability, and the toll it takes on the mental health of all parties involved.
As a 27-year educator – 22 years as an English teacher (and VERY tested subject) and 5 years as an administrator, I have watched the pendulum swing. We need data, but we know that standardized tests are just a piece of the puzzle.
“Much of the impact standardized testing has on us – IS UP TO US.”
Much of the impact standardized testing has on us – IS UP TO US. As educators, how do we explain it? Do we visualize the win, speak positively to our students, and keep the stress to a minimum? Or do we create space that causes our students to “crash out” (as my middle schoolers say)?
I once watched a testing scenario unfold – the testing coordinator was not prepared. There weren’t enough computer chargers, the seating chart was incorrect, and the chaos that ensued ensured that many of these students weren’t going to test well based on the environment ALONE.
When I became an AP teacher, I not only saw the stress, I felt it. The overall “vibe” was that if a student did not pass the course with the necessary score, it was going to impact EVERYTHING about the future.
But we all know that isn’t true.
There are a million factors that contribute to scores. And as an administrator, I use scores to help me see where my students might need interventions, how they need support, and how my teachers can continue to grow. But I do not place so much weight on those scores that it kills the culture (and it CAN kill the culture).
That’s why, as an AP teacher, I developed a manifesto for my students. I had them read this manifesto OUT LOUD before any testing situation that felt heavy. And in this, our big school testing season, I have created a manifesto for school staff to read, remember, and know that WE create the environment around testing that matters.
“In this, our big school testing season, I have created a manifesto for school staff to read, remember, and know that WE create the environment around testing that matters.”
Administrators, it is important that we help our teachers see that these scores, although important, are not the end-all, be-all of their careers. We take into account so many other factors when determining good teaching practices.
Teachers, it is important that we help our students feel confident in their abilities, give them the tools they need in a testing environment, and remind them DAILY that scores and grades DO NOT determine their worth.
Copy this manifesto. Read it at a staff or department meeting, and remind yourself why you do this job in the first place. Because I KNOW when you became a teacher or educator that you DID NOT say, “I’m here for the standardized tests.”
It’s always been about the kids. And we need to communicate that effectively – no matter what external pressures we feel.
The Standardized Testing Manifesto
Standardized test scores do not determine my worth. No matter the score – it does not connect to the core of who I am as an educator in any way, shape, or form.
The attitude I have toward Standardized tests will directly affect how I communicate to my students about them. Therefore, I will do my very best to prepare my students, but in the end, I will breathe, release, and let go of the outcome. I will realize that one test does not determine the entire future.
I will tell students to do their best. I will communicate that if they have listened, applied themselves, and worked this semester, there is a good chance they will inherently know the answers to the questions. If they do not, they will use their best skills and strategies to make a satisfactory educated guess.
And it will all be okay if they get that answer wrong.
Education is a gift. Knowing not everyone in the world has such a privilege, I will not complain, whine, or spread negativity about these Standardized tests – even if I think (or know) they are unfair. There are thousands – even millions – of children who would give anything to take this unfair exam. I will take that into consideration before, during, and after this test.
This, too, shall pass. Ten years from now, my students and I will not remember the answers for which they put pencil to paper during this exam. They WILL remember the relationships and meaningful moments spent over the expanse of the year because that’s what I will choose to embrace. I will not allow one (or several or many) test(s) to ruin my day, my week, or my summer.
If, by some token, I, or my colleagues, or my school, or my students, made some drastic mistakes and choices that put us in a difficult position for this test, I will choose to take responsibility for my actions and vow to make it better next time. I will realize that life offers me a plate every day, and that tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes. I will seize the opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons and do better next time.
Standardized test scores do not determine my worth or the worth of my students and my classroom. I will communicate to my students that they are enough. They ALL have genius. Like Einstein said, they cannot think they failed because they were fish and the test was about climbing a tree. No one is stupid. No one is perfect, and everyone has value. My students have passions and dreams and they matter.
It is not okay to call myself a failure if my student test scores are low.I will not allow my students to see themselves as a test score.
They are all unique.
They have different learning styles and gifts than their fellow students.
Not one of them is the same.
But, at the same time, we are all the same. No one is better than another. I am not worth more than my students and they are not worth more than me. I will tell my students to take this test with confidence knowing that whatever the outcome, their worth will never change.
Test score or no test score, I will continue to pursue excellence in my field, chase my dreams, and live my passions out as a model for my students and my school.
This standardized test score will not determine my worth or my students’ worth. Period.
Resources
Please login or register to claim PGPs.
Alternatively, you may use the PGP Request Form if you prefer to not register an account.
