Standards Debate

This is my response to an infant debate in our Social Studies department about needing to raise our test scores because one of our sister schools is constantly outperforming us.

By my figurin', Civics/Econ scores were only 17 or 18 students behind KM--one class. Not that we needn't improve, but that ain't too bad.

Also, I'm not trying to be a contrarian, why do "we lose to Kings Mtn"? It's about the students, right? Maybe this is just semantics, but it would seem that if we start judging our own work by test scores, then we've lost sight of the purpose of what we do in the first place.

I suppose I understand the sentiment that "we can either master the test or become slaves to it," but I just wonder when we will begin to be honest about the real situation. There is no question that methods could be improved. Unfortunately, most standard classes are not going to do very well sitting there while we talk about our particular subject. They have to be convinced that what we are telling them is relevant to them, and that is difficult to accomplish since obviously the case hasn't been made very well up to this point. So a bit of creativity and a dose of respect towards the students will probably go a longer way than we realize.

But that brings me to the bigger point. I've been studying the philosophy and history of curriculum for one of my GWU classes. The differences between the conservative and liberal/progressive philosophies are worthy of discussion as well--probably moreso--but the agreement is that curriculum should focus on the goal of creating "educated citizens that are capable of contributing to society." But dad gummit (I don't think I've ever spelled that word before) that starts at home!

So, let's really raise the bar. Let's take education where it needs to be. Why not challenge parents to do their part? Why not work our butts off so that we are above reproach, and then truly be honest with folks as to why test scores are the way they are? I suppose the answer to the previous questions is one of job security. But if teachers aren't going to be honest about the status of education--I mean if we are simply going to play the game as it has been set up for us, then how can we possibly expect results?

Maybe this is my idealism creeping up again. Maybe I need to be convinced that I need to think practically and pragmatically. But to me, this is not a competition between me and Anne Pasco or anybody else; this is about hundreds of students who regardless of whether they pass an EOC or not, are not going to possess the thought processes or skills to get a decent job when they graduate. Which it would seem will continue this vicious cycle that we find ourselves in...

DT
"Tell my father that I died with my face to the enemy." --Col. Isaac Avery