-> 
MSGID: 1:218/804 000d3a4c 
-> -> 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. 
 
Yes, I believe my use of "only lazy" was incorrect, I do realize there  
are other motivations for the practice.   
 
But it is always unethical to attempt to raise scores artifically. 
 
 
-> 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. 
 
I'm amazed that someone capable of teaching calculus cannot see the harm  
done by getting scores rather than imparting knowledge.  
 
  
Best,  wes 
 
 
 
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