Do you teach to the tests?

Question

IN many states, including mine, there is a huge emphasis on standardized testing, to the point that state funding and rankings are based on student performance on these high-stakes tests.

How can I integrate creativity and a range of experiences with this giant test looming over me and my students? Should I only focus on the tests, or on content that isn't on the tests...is there a happy medium?

Answer 1

I teach in NY State and we have more tests than most of the rest of the nation. When designing lessons, you have to keep the test in mind and try to give the students the skills that they need to pass the test. I try as much as possible to explain to my students why they need to know the information and how it can be important to them in their future; even though that is at times difficult.

One thing that you have to realize is that although the tests are cumbersome, there are underlying skills and knowledge that are valuable to the students in their future. For example, the social studies Regents exams expect students to have good reading comprehension skills. That is something that they should have to function in society!

What I do to ensure that the kids are successful on the tests and still stay creative is to design a variety of projects and lessons that require students to use the skills that they need. I always do art projects which require students to use their historical knowledge to create artistic interpretations of events or people (examples: political cartoons, campaign posters, collages, etc.). I love to have the students make video skits or power points which aid them in their ability to use technology. I have the students write children's stories about historical events. As high schoolers they love this and I have never seen as scary of a story as one make about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. I always make sure that if it is something that I have to do with notes that I can adapt the lesson to events today and I try to have neat anecdotes about the people of the past.

Lastly, I think that tests are important because there are some teachers who would not keep to the curriculum otherwise. There has to be at least a standard. That being said, I do wish that the tests weren't the main way to evaluate the performance of teachers and students and I think that there could be less testing overall.

I hope that this helps!

Answer 2

Definitely teach to the test. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) uses the scores for the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) rating of the school. Our district, although not officially admitting it, uses student test scores to rate teachers for bonuses.

I tell students that life is about testing. They have to take the SAT or ACT for college anyways. Medical schools need the MCAT. Law schools need the LSAT. To become a teacher, each state has their teaching certification exams. Professional success is based on learning towards a test to an extent. And learning to study for a test is a critical skill.

Teachers today are certainly more constrained when it comes to being creative with their activities and lessons. But at the same time, students need that sense of purpose that the test provides.

Can a student do well on the test and still know very little? Sure, just like there are probably doctors who did well on the MCAT but have malpractice lawsuits. etc. No system is perfect. Then again, is it better than having no system?

Answer 3

I haven't taught in the public schools, but I do teach college. While we don't have standardized testing like they do, I have known teachers who teach the test and that's all. In fact, I've know some who's review are the actual test questions themselves.

Personally, I don't approve of strictly teaching the test because it does the students a real disservice when they graduate and go out in to the real world.

I think it's best to teach the concepts they need, some of which may be on the test, while others may not. Our main job, regardless of what we teach and what level, is to ensure that our students show an appropriate mastery of the material for our particular class.

Yes, preparing students for public school standardized tests is pretty time consuming. And that's perhaps the biggest complaint I'm aware of; teachers spend so much time focusing on the test that they cannot do much else. Why? Because their jobs and those of Principals and other school officials are all tied to passing rates. If enough don't pass, then it's the teachers who are failing our kids.


Tests don't measure true performance, and I've always held the belief that I won't be held victim by them. I will teach what I think students need to know. So I say stop focusing those standardized tests and focus on what your class should know.

Answer 4

You should never focus soley on the test. Here in NC the test is a big deal. Teach the curriculum in a creative way by integrating subjects. To allow students to get used to test format, expose them to multiple-choice tests and allow them to make their own test questions so they value the importance. In my school system we begin giving practice End of Grade samples mid-way through the year. This allows them to see what it will be like as well.

Answer 5

It's definitely important to keep the tests in mind when planning instruction. It's fine for the students to learn what you want them to learn, but it would suck if they then go on to fail the state test. It's a tricky balance, and I don't know if it's entirely possible, but worth trying after. Depressurizing the situation is what I've found is most important - letting the students get used to the test taking environment and feeling confident in their abilities.

Answer 6

I believe in teaching students the skill to be successful on a test rather than teach to the test