End of Course Testing, Good or Bad? You Decide. . .
As a prospective teacher, currently in the internship phase of developing my professional licenser, I am questioning the effectiveness of the End of Course (EOC) tests in the secondary level. My observations and experiences teaching in the secondary level have revealed that teachers tend to rely to heavily on pre-determined EOC testing material, and therefore begin to teach according to that material. There seems to be little room for creative adaptability and flexibility on selected topics throughout the semester. Teachers seem to be so fearful of low test results on the EOC, that they are limited on what topics they can expand upon.
I completely understand the need for a uniform system of curriculum based learning. However, my question is, "Can we not find a way of holding teachers accountable, testing students on the content knowledge they have learned, and allow teachers to teach on a more flexible and creative basis?"
Keith Parker, East Carolina University, History Education
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I only wish...
I wish there was something we could do. I'm sure there is... but we need someone to take a stand for what they believe in. I'm pretty sure that at least 90% of teachers these days feel like they hate EOC's, but they just go along with it because they are to lazy to take action. If we all get together and share our opinions then maybe we can collaboratively make a difference.
EOC Tests
During my time as a student in elementary, middle, and high school, I never had a teacher that liked EOC testing. They constantly complained about having to teach so much material in such a short time period. They were always stressed about whether or not they would be able to cover all the material in time. We would have to rush through the last five or six chapters in order to cover everything that the state decides is important. Of course we didn't learn the material in those last chapters, because they were so rushed. I agree that teachers should know what is important to teach in their classrooms. However, they should have some freedom in the amount of time spent on certain topics. Teachers should have the time to be creative and have fun with the material so that their students would want to learn for the sake of knowledge, not just for the sake of passing a test.
Sarah Langston
East Carolina University
Testing...
By focusing solely on these tests, the creativity of teachers is being taken away. These scores determine so much within a school- advancement to the next grade level for students, funding for schools, salaries for teachers....! Every child is different and learns differently. We have always been taught it and we teach it to children today. Some people are bad test takers and I think it is unfair to based everyone's success or failure on the same test.... it's wrong.
I hate testing
I always get nervous and stress about tests, even when I know the material and have done everything all semester to prepare. I think tests in general are a bad way of measuring progress and to have five courses give you exams all at once that will decide the fate of your academic future is just not fair. Why don't we measure progress steadily over the course of the semester or year? Would that not be more accurate?
standardized tests = BLECH
I'm also a HIED major (didn't realize how many of us there were!
), and the thought of dealing with these tests make me want to rip my hair out. It's frustrating to think that I am going to have to walk into my future classroom with my curriculum scripted out for me. However, I think that even though there is particular material that must be covered, there are better ways to teach it than the old "drill and kill" methods. I got lucky when doing my first round of observations last year and got to see a teacher who found a way to get her kids engaged and (mostly) excited about the material, so I know it is possible to accomplish!
EOC
I think the EOC doesn't need to reflect on the teachers to begin with. I personally am a horrible test taker and i made this far with the help of my teachers. I do believe that it should have some effect on teachers but not enough to make them lose their jobs.
No Hugs
I agree one hundred percent I do not understand where the school system was trying to go with this subject. Seems more like a military camp than a school. I don't understand how our school system can take one of our oldest traditions away, the "Greeting" of other people in our presence to show respect, love and loyalty to.
EOC
I agree with you that teachers implement to much time on end of course tests. Being a perspective teacher as well I feel that I know the guidelines are going to be tough, but we have to start thinking of different ways to get this material through to the kids, other than being a script reader.
Creative
I think that as future teachers, who are coming in to this field knowing the challenges and limitations we have coming to us, we need to start to think of creative strategies to force flexibility in there and excitement and just new innovative ideas all around. I think we need to find a strategic way to get around all of these standardized test and find a way for them to stop hindering teachers' ability to be creative and innovative and exciting. I think that there is a way to do so in every school and every individual situation. We just have to think long and hard to try to make it possible. We can't let it hinder our abilities. We have to find more and more ways to get around each hurdle.
Yea
Keith I to am a Hied major. But I am a year behind you. It was starting to become like that why I was in high-school but I do know what you mean. And yes we can find a way to do what you asked. I do not know of a solution however I know it can be done. Dont let it get you down. Find a solution. I dont think there will be a cookie cutter solution to what you asked but I do think every teacher can find there own solution to it.