Interversity Quotes"I think it's time to ask the Standardistos: Where's the test for compassion? For honesty? For curiosity? For moral commitment? Until they can answer, let's tell them to shut up." —Susan Ohanian (One Size Fits Few: The Folly of Educational Standards) Interversity ProjectsEchoes of Orwell:The purpose of this webforum is to promote a lively discussion among students and faculty alike about George Orwell's 1984 and the parallels or echoes found in today's society. |
[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index] Re: Teacher Testing Boycott for Spring?
> << Nothing's changed. Y'know, teachers give the tests. if all the teachers > > didn't give the tests, even for one year, that would be a good thing and > > no one would get fired (or we all would). >> > > Anyone have an opnion as to why this is not happening? > > George Schmidt Fear, I think. I admit to taking the easy way out of giving the tests: I'm having a baby next month & will be out for the rest of the year! ;) Seriously, though, a lot of teacher attitudes-- in my experience in three vastly differehnt rural North Carolina school systems only (thought I'd better add that disclaimer)-- is based on fear. Why don't we stand up to the principal and tell him that if we're going to be on our feet all day, we can darn well wear tennis shoes (this is the current hot topic at my school but no one will actually bring it up at a faculty meeting for fear of making the "Bad Teachers' List")? We're afraid... afraid that the petty political machinations of the typical public school will make our lives a living hell. Of course, I work in a state with no union and basically no protection for teachers-- maybe it's different elsewhere. I did say flatly to my principal this year that I would not give the End of Grade tests any longer. His response was that if I planned to refuse to give them, I should start looking for a new job. It's a very real, very serious threat-- I suppose I would be accused of dereliction of duties or insubordination or something along those lines, and as a new teacher (less than 4 years experience), I'd have no grounds for appeal... they can fire me because they don't like my hair do and I sense that the no-testing statement is a bit more serious than that. Anyway, long winded response, my vote as to why teachers aren't boycotting the tests is fear. Teresa Glenn -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the ARN-L list, send command SIGNOFF ARN-L to LISTSERV@LISTS.CUA.EDU.
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