-> WL So I worry that an exit test focuses the attention on testing WL
-> instead of education, with unintended deleterious side effects.
-> It seems only lazy or unethical folk would "teach
-> to the test."  If they are prone to that attitude
-> just imagine how they might teach without any testing.
->
-> Can we afford not to test.
->
-> Best,  wes
I don't know that I'd say "lazy" or "unethical" folk only would teach to
the test. I think that in some situations, even very good, caring
teachers honestly believe that this is the best thing for them to do in
their (and their students') situation.
For instance, if a particular school is being told that they must raise
standardized test scores or be taken over by the state, the teachers
might believe it to be in their best interest, in such a difficult
situation, to "teach to the test".
I know that as an A.P. Calculus teacher, there are a significant number
of other A.P. Calculus teachers who try to "teach to the test". They do
this because they believe it is the best way to help their students get
a high score on the exam. What they don't realize is that it really
isn't the best way to help the kids. I do think they are doing what they
believe is best, however.
Sheila
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