Re: AYP celebrations

[SheilaARS@aol.com]

I love this discussion; it gives me hope to make it through my faculty 
meeting tomorrow.   My school is   in year two (again) of PI but since we barely 
made our target last year, we didn't move to year three.   However, the jump is 
huge this year, and frankly, I don't see how we could ever make it.   EVERY 
single faculty meeting is now dreaded by all; our principal stands up and goes on 
and on about 
motivation, doing more, targeting the right kids and then we break out in 
"target groups" to further our sessions.   These groups are always led by a 
teacher who really seems to believe this garbage.   I have watched excellent, 
inspiring teachers leave to districts that aren't in PI.   I continue to be told 
that I don't take testing seriously enough because my scores are low.   I 
continue to remind the admin. that I get the lowest 8th. graders because I work well 
with them but no one else wants them.I get 8th graders who begin my class 
reading at about a second grade level.   My students do make growth, but I don't 
teach to the test, nor to the "standards".   I teach to the needs of my 
students, and I teach to their social needs as well.   I am only a few years from 
retirement and I really miss the freedom to teach creatively.   I still do it, 
yes, but with an ever-watchful eye over my shoulder and the constant reminders 
of test scores, test scores,   intervention, intervention.   Nobody in power 
seems to get that this is a statistical impossibility, and more importantly, a 
social fiasco.
I rarely post in this listserve, but I read them thoroughly and get 
tremendous inspiration to continue the fight.




Sheila Reed Stark



**************
Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.
     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489