EDIM 510 - Who Has the Time?

There are many things one can be passionate about in education today.  I feel most passionately about the need to rid ourselves of the standardized tests.  I have taught at the high school level in Pennsylvania and elementary level in Maine.  Each state has their own required tests for different grade levels. 

I have seen hours wasted by school districts to prepare to administer these tests.  I have seen money go out the door in preparing school networks to handle the possible load of users that will take a test via the internet.  Technology departments waste hours to get needed laptops to share for grades which required them.  Myself and other teachers have spent hours figuring out what testing accommodations should or shouldn't be used for students on our caseloads.  The trainings involved during professional development and afterschool meetings to make decisions for a single test which will not help the student understand anything is ridiculous.
 
Each year students, parents, teachers, and administration prepare for standardized tests.  So much valuable instructional and preparation time is used to get ready for giving the test.  Stress levels are at an all-time high during this time. There were more students having meltdowns than on a usual week of school.

Teachers are limited in their instruction because of these tests.  They say no one teaches to the test.  That is a joke.  Everyone needs their students to earn proficient or it could affect one's job or teacher evaluation. 

I know that educators have so much on their plates that maybe it is time to take the standardized tests off.  We could be using our time in more meaningful ways throughout the school year.

There has to be a solution out there.  I just do not know what it is.  Does anyone have an idea?

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