Tell me again why we do these tests?

 Tell Me Again Why We do These Tests?

 

Every year the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requires that all students are tested annually for proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. These latest tests are called MCAP.  It is not altogether clear what the point of these tests is since the results that are shared are summative and don’t provide any diagnostic data for teachers.  Even in previous better years, the scores were nothing to brag about.

This past fall, more than 92% of Maryland’s public school students took the tests.  The preliminary results are in and only 35% of test takers met or exceeded expectations in ELA.  The situation was worse in math where only 15% met or exceeded expectations.  There is no question but that the extended “online not much instruction going on” contributed to these very disappointing outcomes.  But let’s be honest here, before the pandemic, we were looking at 43.7% for ELA and 33% for math.  Hardly stellar when more than half of the students taking the test fell significantly below grade level.

As usual the dismal results yielded wonderful political talk about we were going to use these data to “seize the moment” to improve education in Maryland.  Everyone reiterated our commitment to bright futures and better results.  We will continue to throw billions- yes, billions- of dollars toward public education without a plan or process for better results other than increasing teachers’ salaries.  Oh yes, I forgot, we are going to implement “evidence based strategies” as well.   What exactly have we been doing the last 150 years if not implementing “evidence based strategies”.  The problem is that the evidence keeps shifting and changing and so do our instructional methods.  This time we are going to add the “fierce dedication of our State’s talented and skilled teachers and school leaders”.   So up until now we haven’t done that?

We really haven’t learned much from these tests that we didn’t already know.  Kids lost a tremendous amount of learning during the online non-learning experiences. 

Why haven’t we implemented differentiated instruction that teaches children differently based on how they learn rather than the way we want to teach advocated by the latest and greatest research?   Why haven’t we thrown out the pacing guides and moved at the pace of learning for each child?   Why haven’t we stopped wasting teaching and learning time by giving these tests?

These are preliminary results.  Final results will be released at the end of January.  Final results won’t be much different.  There will be more fine words thrown at the issue.  We will call on all teachers to become even MORE fiercely dedicated as if the issue were dedication rather than instructional skill.  And we will throw more money at the problem and be here again next year.  

Tell me again why we give these tests?